Joyce L. Viets

Joyce L. Viets, 85, died unexpectedly Monday morning, Jan. 23, 2012, at Mayo Clinic Health Systems - Eau Claire.

Joyce Laura Ette was born at home on Dec. 11, 1926, in Far Cotton, a suburb of Northampton, England, the third child of Arthur James Ette and Annie Elizabeth Kinch Ette.  She attended school in Far Cotton and church at St. Mary's (Church of England).

Following the start of World War II, her education was cut short by the shortage of teachers and the war effort and, to that end, she worked in several positions, including as a florist and as a photographer's assistant.

Joyce met her future husband, Wayne R. Viets, on St. Patrick's Day, 1944, while he was serving with the 305th Bomb Group, 8th U.S. Air Force at Chelveston Air Field, Northamptonshire.  Joyce came to the United States in 1947 and Joyce and Wayne were married in Greeley, Colo., on Feb. 4, 1947, making their home there, and later in Denver, Colo. 

In 1950, Wayne rejoined the Air Force, and for the next 24 years, Joyce was an exemplary military wife, capably supporting her family during Wayne's military service, living in Nevada, North Dakota, and Washington state, as well as abroad in England, France and Spain. 

They retired to Colfax in 1974 and enjoyed many years together traveling, trout fishing and being grandparents. 

Joyce was very proud that she became an American citizen in 1956 and knew more about American government because of her Citizenship Test than most natural-born citizens.  She was also proud of having been an English Girl Guide and having both daughter and granddaughter follow in her footsteps and "do a good turn daily." 

Joyce was an accomplished seamstress and knitter, and also an exceptionally good cook, learning French and Spanish cuisine overseas and cooking those as well as traditional Scandinavian, American and English dishes at family Sunday dinners.  She was a great reader, particularly fond of Jane Austen, Tony Hillerman, and Georges Simenon's Maigret mysteries.

In recent years, she especially enjoyed attending the 305th Bomb Group's annual veterans' reunions. 

Joyce was an active member of the Colfax Merrymixers since 1992, and always looked forward to her Wednesday luncheon with friends at the Grapevine Nutrition Center.

Joyce is survived by a daughter, Yvette Anne Viets Flaten; and son-in-law, Daniel L. Flaten; two grandchildren, Matthew Viets Flaten and wife Laura Dean of Lawrence, Kan., and Avril Danielle Flaten of Eau Claire.  She is survived by a sister, Gwendoline Ette Gadsden and her husband Eric Gadsden, of Northampton;  and a sister-in-law, Irene Ette of Rugby, Warwickshire, England.  She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends, both here and abroad. 

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Wayne;  and two elder brothers,  Leslie A. Ette, Rugby and Alan D. Ette, Northampton, England.

Funeral services for Joyce will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 27, 2012, at Colfax United Methodist Church, with Reverend Jeanne Jones presiding.  Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service at the church.  Interment will follow immediately at Hill Grove Cemetery, Colfax.

Olson Funeral Home of Menomonie is serving the family.

To share a memory, please visit obituaries at www.olsonfuneral.com.