Vivian Patten Joy

March 23, 1934 - July 7, 2025

Vivian Wahneta Patten Joy went to meet her Lord on July 7, 2025. Vivian was born on March 23, 1934, in Jireh, Wyo. to James and Margie Patten. She grew up on a ranch in Southeastern Wyo. She attended elementary school in a 2-room country school in Keeline, Wyo. and graduated from Manville High School as valedictorian. Vivian's college years were spent in Laramie attending the University of Wyoming where she earned a bachelor's degree in Home Economics with a minor in science. She graduated magna cum laude in 1957. Vivian was a member of Phi Kappa Phi.

During that time, she met the love of her life, A.Z. Joy, in chemistry class. They married on July 1, 1954, in St. Leo's Catholic Church at Lusk, Wyo. and that union lasted 57 years. To them were born four children, three girls and one boy. After living briefly in Salt Lake City, Utah and Denver, Colo., they moved to Ely on February 1, 1959, and made their permanent home. Her husband A.Z. Joy had a long and rewarding career with the Reno, Nev. College of Agriculture Extension Service for 30 years.

Vivian loved being a mother and homemaker and was proud of her children and their accomplishments. Over the years she was active as a member of Sacred Heart Church, Sacred Heart School Parents' club, Y.L.I., Our Lady of Snows Guild, and was a 4-H leader for 30 years. Vivian was a substitute teacher for several years and then taught Home Economics at White Pine High School from 1984 until retiring in 1989. Vivian loved teaching and especially enjoyed that period in her life. A.Z. then moved Vivian to Texas. They shared 21 wonderful retirement years, spending summers in Ely and winters on their ranch in Texas where they raised both meat and Angora goats. Vivian lived full time in Ely again since 2010.

Vivian's interests included cooking, quilting, reading, crocheting, knitting, drawing, playing the piano/organ. And she was an avid trout fisherwoman.

Survivors include her three daughters, Yvette Waters (Elko, Nev.), Trudie and Jim Hollinger (Ely, Nev.), Robbie Boteilho (Riverton, UT); nine grandchildren, Holly (Tim) Trexler, Brenda Waters, Marlene (Kevin) Haub, Serena Waters, Moriah Deitrick, Lou (Missy) Perkins, Rachel (Mike) Foster, Mikyla (Chris) Pastor and Nicole Boteilho; fourteen great grandchildren, Jacob Trexler, Sarah Trexler, Makayla Trexler, Brittany Wilkie, Connor Wilkie, Isabelle Haub, Tanner Fowler, Allie Fowler, Ryder Deitrick, Ebon Perkins, Aryianna Perkins, Abigail Perkins, Nicki Foster, and Alexis Pastor; and one great-great granddaughter, Riley Derborn.

Vivian is also survived by two brothers, Jim (Kathie) Patten, Martin (Rita) Patten, and two sisters, Winona (Anton) Munari, and Marcia (Mike) Elkins as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, A.Z. Joy; son, Bret Joy; sons-in-law, Lloyd Waters and Lennie Boteilho; and a grandson, Cody Waters.

Pallbearers: Lou Perkins, Mike Foster, Kevin Haub, Chris Pastor, Tanner Fowler and Ebon Perkins

Honorary pallbearers: Kaye Kirkeby, Pete Paris Jr, David Paris, Mark Paris, Gracian Uhalde and Michael Uhalde.

The rosary will be held July 24, 2025, at 7 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church.

Funeral services will be on July 25, 2025, 9 a.m., at Sacred Heart Church with a luncheon to follow a cemetery service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations for improvements to the choir loft at Sacred Heart Church.

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Published by Elko Daily from Jul. 15 to Jul. 19, 2025.