JOYCE FERGUSON

1932 - 2021

JOYCE Y FERGUSON Beloved wife, mother and grandmother. Joyce passed away on May 10, 2021, one week short of her 90th birthday. Joyce was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the only child of loving parents Harry and Thelma Schroeder. Her formative years were spent working on the family farm and attending a small country school. The family worshipped at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Chaseburg, WI where she was confirmed in Lutheran faith on Mother's Day 1945. Following high school she attended Whitewater University where she received training in secretarial and stenography. At school, she lived in a college home with seven other young women. Following college she returned to La Crosse, working briefly, before meeting and falling in love with Richard, a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. They wed in 1952. During the 22 years they shared in the Air Force, they were stationed at 15 different bases, including 3 foreign postings. Following retirement they settled in Oroville, CA where they would live the rest of their lives. Joyce's life focused on family, faith, friendship and community. She took active roles in her children's lives and activities: serving as a cub scouts den mother, volunteering in the library at the elementary school and attending countless sporting events through high school. She was a member of NCO wives group that assisted new transfers to settle into a new base, especially in overseas posts. In Virginia, she volunteered at a local nursing home, reading books, letters and magazines to patients. Most recently she volunteered with the Oroville Hospital Auxiliary, serving in a variety of posts during 14 years, accumulating over 2000 hours of service. Most importantly, she volunteered and participated in every church she attended throughout her life. During 45 years as a member of Calvary Lutheran Church, she was the church secretary for 8 years, worked on fund raising efforts and participated in making the quilts distributed to newborns at the hospital. Joyce treasured all the friendships she made throughout her life. She maintained friendships from her youth, classmates from college, many military families and members of many of the churches she attended. Following Richard's retirement, they became avid RVer's making short and long trips around the country to visit family and friends. Joyce is survived by her sons, Daniel (Sharon) and David. She has two grandchildren, Nicholas and Alexandria. She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Richard, in 2008. A memorial service will be held May 27 at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oroville at 2:00 p.m. Memorials in Joyce's honor may be made to Calvary Lutheran Church. Alternatively, the family would like you to honor Joyce by donating to your favorite charity in your community.