Joan Lavonne Huey

Joan Lavonne Starmer Huey passed through the veil into Heaven on November 2, 2017, after an 11 year struggle with dementia, strokes and a heart attack. She was born to loving parents, Ray Elbert Starmer and Zona Ruth Pyle Starmer, on June 4, 1933 in Pueblo, Colorado. Joan Married John Raymond Basgal Jr. in 1951 which ended in divorce in 1965. Seven children were born to this union. Surviving Daughters: Ramona Rae (James) Cox, St. George, Utah, Pamela Jo (Lance) Fry, Leeds, Utah, Vickie Kay Durand, Canon City, Colorado, Zoetta Jean (Thomas) Staehle, Canon City, Colorado, and Brenda Ruth (Leon III) Fay, Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Two young sons, her sister, and one grandson preceded her in death: John Raymond Basgal III, Shawn Ray Basgal, Rayetta Ruth Graham and Matthew Ray Durand. She married Elvin James Huey Jr. October 22, 1969. He preceded her in death on September 3, 1989. In her reflective moments during her illness, she told us she wanted to be with him in Heaven. Joan and Jim worked for the Colorado State Patrol in Pueblo, Colorado. Mom worked there from 1967 until retirement in 1993. They were active members of Masons and Eastern Star in Pueblo. Mom was a very special, courageous, valiant child of God. She knew the Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ her Savior through her studies of the Bible and her prayers. She taught her children how to pray and attend worship meetings as children. She wrote poetry and was a nature artist. She loved painting flowers and growing beautiful gardens in her yard in Belmont. She had her mother Zona’s player piano and could play beautifully herself. She taught all of us to appreciate many kinds of music by pumping the piano rolls, while singing and dancing to the music. That tradition continues in her daughters’ homes. Joan is also survived by a beloved brother-in-law, Richard Graham (Concord, Calif), three nieces, Ranee, Rayona, and Rhonda; 14 grandchildren, Jennifer (Ken) Bracken, David (Megan) Kent, Kathryn (Justin) Hanson, Shawna (Wes) Chapman, Steven Craig (Shelbi) Kent, Jacquie Fry, Simon (April) Fry, Christopher (Katie) Durand, Elizabeth (Patrick) Shanahan, Jacob Durand, Karlee Durand, Aimee (Greg) McCollum, Emilie (Chris) Reimer, Kirstie (Patrick) Owens, Brandon Thornton, and Misty (Sean) Soderquist; 17 Great-grandchildren, Brayden, Austin, Kash, Kenadee, Kamryn, Rylee, Asher, Tessa, Jack, Tucker, Tiffany, Aaron, Whitney, Ryan, Spencer, Sarah, Emma, Nicolas, Theodore, Logan, Gracelynn, Zoey, Liam, Tanner, and Sophia. The family is having a private viewing. All are invited to the Chapel Service and Graveside at 10 A.M., Tuesday, November 7, 2017 at Imperial Funeral Home and Cemetery in Pueblo, CO. The family has so much gratitude for all of the kind doctors, nurses, hospice team, and special caregiver, Debbie Sporing. In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions through the funeral home to the Alzheimer’s Association. www.imperialfunerals.com