Joyce Elizabeth (Guyer) Weekes

Joyce E. Weekes, 91, longtime Ellensburg resident, peacefully passed away at her home on Thursday, January 14, 2021.  Viewing will be from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 21, at Johnston & Williams Funeral Home in Ellensburg, and the funeral service will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 22, at the First Lutheran Church in Ellensburg.  Due to current restrictions, attendance is limited to immediate family, but a livestream will be available starting at 9:55 a.m. at www.johnston-williams.com  Joyce Elizabeth will be laid to rest on Thursday, January 28 at 1:00 p.m. in Mobridge SD, next to her parents Jack and Emma Guyer.

Joyce was born on November 24, 1929, in Sioux City, Iowa to Jack & Emma (Neumiller) Guyer.  She grew up in McIntosh, South Dakota and graduated as Valedictorian from McIntosh High School in 1948.  She frequently told stories of riding her horse to school during her grade school years, participating in Spelling Bees - taking 4th place in a state tournament after having misspelled the word “refrigerator.” Joyce was a beautiful horse woman and helped trail 1,000 head of horses in the 1930’s from North Dakota to Johnstown, Nebraska and back and once more in 1940. She also taught tap dancing and sang at many weddings and funerals in her youth. Joyce loved to travel, the sound of a train would bring back fond memories.

Joyce first met Martin Gilbert Weekes at a horse sale as she was leading some young horses.  Martin offered to assist her.  Joyce, ever the fiercely independent woman, declined his assistance. Martin didn’t give up, however.  He later asked her to attend a pie social and dance - and it was there they won the waltz competition. She was strikingly beautiful, whether on the dance floor or on horseback. Joyce and Martin courted for some time and married on June 7, 1949, in Bismarck, North Dakota.  

After their marriage, Joyce and Martin established a ranch along the Cannonball River in Grant County, North Dakota.  They lived there until 1976, when they picked up the ranch, including the livestock and equipment, and moved to Ellensburg where they established a new ranch in the Parke Creek area east of town. Joyce loved being a “ranch wife” and worked side-by-side doing everything necessary to keep things running smoothly.  Joyce also worked at Twin City Foods for ten years, where she made fast and long lasting friendships. Following Joyce spent many years working as a home health care professional, officially “retiring” at the age of 70.  

Joyce absolutely loved spending time with her family.  Her grandchildren brought her exceptional joy.  She was also a “second mom” to many of her children’s friends through the years - the Weekes’s house was always full!  Her saying, “You can attract more bees with honey than vinegar”,  was told to each generation. She was an excellent gardner and will be remembered for her homemade dill pickles, delicious pies and the absolute best cakes with homemade icing. Joyce was an active member of the Cowbelles in the Dakota’s and continued her membership in Washington State. Joyce was our family’s greatest fan, whether in the arena, band gigs, dance, art openings, football, basketball, baseball or golf. In addition, she was the greatest fan of the Ellensburg Rodeo, and every Labor weekend would find her in the stands. In her later years, a Tuesday luncheon group at Super One, gave Joyce a weekly outing with dear friends. 

Special thanks extended to Dr. David Jackson and staff for affording the best possible care. Thanks to their care, Joyce was able to spend the last of her years comfortably in her home with the assistance of Mardie Jo and her family’s care, along with all her children and extended family who lovingly came into her home with care, visits, phone calls and gatherings. Her sister Nancy called every Thursday, and they felt fortunate to have their sisterhood late in life. It was a team devotion, which made Joyce’s world go round.  The world shined a little brighter because of Joyce, her loving heart will be missed by many.

Joyce is survived by her children Jerry (Sally) Weekes of Bayard, NE; Lucinda Joyce (Randy) Olson of Bismarck, ND; Lance (Jan) Weekes of Duvall, WA; Reg (Chris) Weekes of LaCrosse, WA; Mardie Jo (Walter) Jendrycka of Ellensburg, WA; Seth Patrick (Michelle) Weekes of LaCrosse, WA; and Theodesia May (Mark) Charlton of Ellensburg, WA.  She is also survived by her grandchildren, (Jerry) - Jera Sitton (Hank), Trinity Weekes, and Josh Weekes; (Cindy) -  Buck (Theresa) Olson and Casey (Jennifer) Olson; (Lance) - Briana Weekes; (Reg) - Carey (Charlie) Erickson, Chet (Jill) Weekes, Haley Weekes, Drew (Cassandra) Weekes, and Jack Weekes; (Mardie Jo) - Toby (Tara) Udager, and MandyJo Udager; (Seth) - Brandi (Francis) Weekes, Bailey (Randal) Pfaff, Seth (Rachael) Weekes, and Taylor (Ben) Cochran; (Teddy) - Michael (Sarah) Charlton, Amber Charlton, and Jonathon Charlton. She is also survived by Great Grandchildren (Jerry) - Spencer and Everett Sitton, Ava Henton; (Cindy) -  Tori and Katie Olson, and Emily, Kari and Jeffrey Freeman; (Reg) - Zayla and Dace Erickson, Leah, Kyson and Kinsley Weekes, and Elizabeth Davis-Weekes; (Mardie Jo) - Amaya and Braden Udager, and Kolten Udager, Molly and Amy McNutt; (Seth) - Soren Banaad Fandino, Oliver Pfaff, Stetson and Katherine Weekes, and Case Cochran; (Teddy) - Callan Charlton. Her sister Nancy (Donald) Miller, her nieces and nephew Denny (Joseph) Nkemontoh, Cheryl (Mark) Wilson, Tim (Elizabeth) Miller of Portland, Oregon also survive.  She was preceded in death by her husband Martin and her parents Jack and Emma Guyer.

Memorial contributions in Joyce’s honor are suggested to the First Lutheran Church, 512 N. Ruby, Ellensburg, WA 98926.

Johnston & Williams Funeral Home and Crematory of Ellensburg has been entrusted with caring for Joyce’s family.  Online condolences may be left at www.johnston-williams.com 

PLEASE NOTE: (January 11, 2024) -- The recording of this service has been archived and removed from our server.  If you wish to obtain a copy of this recording on a thumb drive, please contact our office.