Joyce Brester

Joyce Brester

Joyce Brester, age 91, formerly of Laurel, passed away peacefully at home on February 11, 2024. Joyce was born on June 18, 1932 in Billings, the second oldest of five children born to John and Clara Budge. She graduated Laurel High School in 1950 and married Harold Brester on September 27, 1952.

She and Harold built and moved into their house on Second Avenue where they lived and raised their family until Harold passed away in 2012.

In 2014, Joyce moved to Colorado where she lived with and was cared for by her daughter, Pam and son-in-law, Gene.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Harold; her parents; brothers Jack and Jerry; and her sister, Pat.

Survivors include her daughters Jere (Don) Hust, Tucson, AZ, Pam (Gene) Eliassen, Elizabeth, CO, and Elaine Toepke, Fort Collins, CO; grandchildren Dani Campbell, Jered (Mindi) Hust, Sarah (Tyler) Lindauer, Erica (Geoff) Hughes, Perry (Jaclyn) Eliassen, Taylor Toepke, and Tara Toepke; great-grandchildren Clara, Wyatt, and Ava Lindauer, Ellie, Charlotte, and Oliver Hughes, Genevieve, Madelyn, and Baby-on-the-Way Eliassen, Grant Weber, Gehrig, Gianna, and Gabe Hust; and her brother, William Budge.

Joyce's faith was paramount in her life. She was very active in Laurel's First Congregational Church, where she was a member for over sixty years. In that time, she sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, and was a member of the Dorcas Society.

When she moved to Colorado, Joyce joined the United Church of Christ Parker Hilltop and attended services until she was no longer physically able. Of all the holidays, she cherished July Fourth the most, when her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren would gather at the Brester home to celebrate.

Joyce was an amazing baker who instilled the same love of baking in her daughters. Holidays were always filled with her amazing Christmas cookies, grebel, fudge, and pies. Joyce loved her family fiercely, through good times and bad.

She was a constant in our lives; her home and kitchen table were always open for hot tea and visiting, games of Scrabble, story- telling, and laughter. Her arms were always open for hugs. Joyce was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and gigi. Her sweet smile, stories, and unwavering love will be desperately missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Laurel in the spring.