Joyce Eleanor Wiltse

Joyce Eleanor Wiltse (92) peacefully passed onto her final journey home on Tuesday, September 24, 2013. Her loving survivors include daughter Jackee Lee and husband, Dallas Mickey; son Jeffrey D.; and son Jamison B. and wife, Christie Sue; grandchildren Kristiane Michelle (Tia) and husband, Chris Marquez, Monica Parks Baker, Edward Parks and wife, Mary, Aaron J.B. Wiltse, and Joshua B. Wiltse, as well as several great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. Joyce was born in Bemidji, Minnesota on March 22, 1921 and lived her childhood enjoying the glories of growing up on a farm outside of small town Nebish, Minnesota where the hardships of growing up during the depression were far outweighed by the magic of snowbound winters and childhood play. She graduated from Bemidji State Teachers college with a BA in English and soon went to work as a teacher for Bemidji High School. She withstood the loss of her first husband to the horror of World War II only to find the love of her life in her husband Leon Wiltse, married in 1952, who preceded her in death in 1995. She was also preceded in death by all eight of her siblings and her parents Chester and Amy Dietel. Joyce and husband Leon moved to New Mexico in 1953, where she settled into home making, and raising her three children. Joyce remained committed to and active in her Beta Sigma Phi sorority throughout her life maintaining life-long friendships with all of her 'sisters.' Joyce also dedicated her life to serving the First Presbyterian Church, actively participating in the Women's organization both on a local level and a national level, accepting the service of Deacon many times over, and promoting and building Christ's love through charity. The family wishes to thank Lynne Pryor and Debbie Haugen, all of the loving caretakers at Casa Palo Duro and her caring nurses and staff at Hospice de la Luz for their love and support of Joyce over her last years. Joyce's life will be celebrated on Wednesday October 2, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at FRENCH - Lomas. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Joyce's favorite charities: Animal Humane Society (in loving memory of her little Misty) or the Albuquerque Rescue Mission (to care for others).