Joybelle “Joy” (Leeper) (Stevens) Stancl, 98, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away on Saturday, June 16, 2018, at her home.

Joybelle Lillian Faye was born Dec. 5, 1919, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Guy and Dora (Anderson) Leeper. She graduated from District 41 and went to work at the Minnesota Employment Office. She also worked at Hormel, the American Tea Company, and gave guitar lessons. Joy married Frank Stevens on Dec. 14, 1940, at his parent’s home. Frank died unexpectedly on April 5, 1962. Later, she married Harry Stancl.

She was a member of Christ Episcopal Church and the Austin Art Group.

Joy was very artistic and loved to paint using oils, acrylics, pastels and watercolors. She won several awards at the Mower County Fine Arts Show and had paintings on display at the Oak Leaf and Sterling State Bank. She also liked sculpting, ceramics, needlework and knitting. Joy played the organ, piano and guitar. In her younger years, she enjoyed camping, gardening and woodworking.

She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Frank Stevens; second husband, Harry Stancl in 1988; and three sisters, Eileen Karsten, June Kestner and Dolores Rasmussen.

Joy is survived by her children, Dianne Stevens, Tom (Deb) Stevens and Suzanne Stancl, all of Austin; grandchildren, Tom (Arika) Stevens, Forest City, Iowa, Kelly (Phil) Foley, Ft. Hood, Texas, Angie (Steve) Hulshizer, St. Ansgar, Iowa, and Cody Stevens, Austin; great grandchildren, Caleb, Carter, Max, Madyson, Kylie, Brecken, Rowan, Jason, Owen, Cade and Lexey; sister, Gloria Anderson, Austin; and nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 22, 2018, at Christ Episcopal Church with the Rev. Catherine Lemons officiating. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, June 21, 2018, at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary and for one hour before the service on Friday at the church. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery.