November 2, 1937 to July 26, 2016
Joyce Maxine Conrad passed away on July 26, 2016 at Hospice of the Valley Dobson Home surrounded by her husband and children. She is survived by her husband Gary Conrad, four children and their spouses, 9 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. An open house Celebration of Life was held at First Baptist Church of Sun Lakes.
Joyce was born to Harold and Erma Jones in the small town of Osceola, Nebraska. She grew up on a farm with her older brother Walden and younger brother Dennis. The siblings united later in life with their eldest brother Harold.
Joyce was the Homecoming queen for Osceola HS in September 1954.
She married Gary Conrad on January 22, 1956 and they had 5 children: Shane, Tammy, Kim, Teri, and Scott.
Joyce enjoyed the great outdoors – gardening, fishing, and the annual deer hunt was a big deal.
As well as being homemaker and mother of 5, Joyce helped run the Osceola Hardware and Appliance store that Gary owned. Part of the building was converted into the Youth Center, where Joyce touched the lives of many youth in Osceola. She did all the cooking – French fries, hotdogs, etc. – all the things kids like.
After the building burned in the spring of 1971, Gary and Joyce decided to move the family to Anchorage, Alaska. Continuing her love of the great outdoors – fishing, clam digging, berry picking, gardening.
The kids say their Mom always had homemade cookies in the house. Friday was pizza night and Saturday morning cinnamon rolls.
Joyce was a Cub Scout den mother and Girl Scout leader.
Joyce worked for Northwest Airlines in the food kitchen and advanced up to the First Class and supervisor. That career choice opened up the opportunity for her and Gary to travel the world.
On February 17, 1980, their oldest daughter Tammy died tragically in a car accident on her way to church. That event would eventually lead the entire family to the Lord.
Gary and Joyce bought, remodeled and lived in 20 different homes in their 60 years together. The final vacation home in Alaska was a cabin in the Kenai River.
Gary and Joyce moved to Washington in 1987 after Gary retired and then to Arizona in 1994 after Joyce retired.
Gary and Joyce took the entire family on a Mexican Riviera cruise in 2006 to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. There were 22 family members on that cruise, including grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Joyce enjoyed finding great deals and treasures at garage sales. She loved her church family and reading/studying her Bible.
She greatly enjoyed her 9 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. She always remembered everyone’s birthdays with cards.
We could go on and on with the great memories, but to sum it up – Joyce was the sweetest lady you have ever met and her love for the Lord shone bright. Gary says she was the best wife he ever had.
Joyce was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). It is a rapid-onset muscle weakness caused by the immune system damaging the peripheral nervous system. The exact cause of Guillain-Barre syndrome is unknown and there is no known cure. The GBS/CIDP Foundation International is a non-profit organization supporting individuals and their families affected by Guillain-Barre syndrome through a commitment to support, education, research, and advocacy. Donations can be made and dedicated to the foundation in memory of Joyce Conrad. www.GBS-CIDP.org
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