JOYCE WASDEN

JOYCE WASDEN Joyce Esplin Wasden passed away peacefully May 12, 2018. She was born December 9, 1934, in Shelley, Idaho, to George Wayne and Gladys Nilsson Esplin. Joyce loved to share stories about growing up on the farm in Shelley, Idaho with her brother, Dean, riding her horse, herding cows, mending fences, learning piano and flute and riding the bus to school. She attended Firth High school, where she participated in band and glee club and graduated in 1951. Joyce attended Ricks College and then the Idaho Falls nursing school. While she was in nurses training, she met the love of her life, Leonard Berrett "Barry" Wasden, when he was a patient in the hospital. They quickly fell in love and six weeks after meeting, he left for an LDS mission. Joyce faithfully wrote to Barry and six weeks after he returned, they were married November 18, 1955, in the Idaho Falls LDS temple. Joyce and Barry lived in Provo while Barry finished his undergraduate degree. Many moves followed from Salt Lake City for more schooling, Colorado Springs, Colorado, and San Antonio, Texas with the U.S. Air Force, Boise, Idaho, and then Salt Lake City. Joyce made life-long friends during these years which lasted throughout her life. In 1964, Joyce and Barry moved to Las Vegas, which would become their home for many years and where they would raise their family. Here, they began their chain of Hallmark Stores which filled their lives with friends and work. They were blessed with great success and chose to share it with others. Ministering was natural for Joyce and she loved caring for people. During her years in Las Vegas at least 36 people found their way into her home as "adopted family members". She loved each person who entered her home and made them feel like they belonged. Joyce understood "that charity never faileth" and she lived this way. Joyce was one of the founding members of Bluthe Chorale, which grew to become a well-known and successful vocal group in the Las Vegas Valley. She had a lovely voice and enjoyed being a part of this group. She was a gifted pianist and organist, playing for church meetings and ward choirs. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as ward and Stake Relief Society President. Some of her fondest memories were the years she served as Girls' Camp nurse at Camp Stimson. Joyce and Barry worked at the St. George Temple for six years, then were called to serve on the Open House Committee when the Las Vegas Temple was finished. They were then called as the first "trainers" when the Las Vegas Temple opened. This was a calling Joyce cherished. Joyce loved traveling and was blessed to see much of the world. She was an avid BYU and UNLV fan and followed both teams wherever they played. She was an old-fashioned magnificent home maker. A great cook, and gifted seamstress. Her greatest joy was in fulfilling that role. Joyce began working as a nurse again in 1993. She was the director of nurses at Eljen Nursing home loving each patient. She taught nursing classes for CCCC, a favorite teacher of many students. Joyce and Barry moved to St. George in 1993 after Barry's health began to decline. Joyce cared for Barry until his death in 1998. Joyce returned to Las Vegas in 2001 following her daughter, Holly's death, so she could be near the grandchildren and help with their needs. While living in Las Vegas she continued to minister as five different grandchildren lived with her at different times. In 2009, she returned to St. George and moved in with her daughter, Whitney Bleazard, where she lived for her last nine years. Joyce was an incredible example of love, patience and endurance. During her final years, she had over 15 major surgeries with never a word of complaint. But, not being able to be independent was hard. She loved ministering and now she needed to be ministered to. This was the most difficult of her trials. Joyce was a devoted mother to four daughters, twins, Kelly Cram and Karyn Albright (Mark), Whitney Bleazard (Brett) and Holly Barton (deceased) (Jim and Michelene). She is survived by 19 grandchildren, one; and 48 great-grand-children, one deceased. Her greatest legacy is her testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and her unshakable belief that families are forever, sealed eternally. She is once again by the side of her eternal partner, Barry, no doubt ministering to all those around her. Viewing will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 26, with funeral services following, both at the LDS Chapel, 8801 W. Alexander Road.