Joyce Diane Tanner

Joyce Diane Stimson Tanner, our beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother returned peacefully to the loving arms of her Heavenly Father on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

Mom was born November 16, 1931, the daughter of John Winfield Stimson and Alta Sophrona Watkins Stimson. She was the youngest of three children born and raised in Ogden, Utah, where her dear mother always made sure that their humble home was filled with laughter, joy, and love.

She cherished growing up in the small town of Ogden where she learned from a young age the value of hard work. It was during the depression, where money was scarce, that she treasured the simplest and smallest things. She even learned how to sew and made her own clothes to stay fashionable.

Mom graduated from Ogden High School in 1949. She considered her school to be the most beautiful building in Ogden and admired it every time she drove by. After High School, Mom worked at the Defense Depot of Ogden, where she rode the bus and met a man named William Betteridge. He had a grandson in the military that he encouraged mom to write and get to know. After corresponding for almost a year, their relationship led to a courtship. Mom then married the love of her life, Keith Delbert Tanner, on June 23, 1955, in the Salt Lake City temple. They spent the majority of their lives raising their ten beloved children.

As a young mother, she pursued her passion by attending and graduating from Painter’s College of Beauty. She took that passion even further by opening her own beauty salon, working from the comfort of her home. At times, she had as many as eighty ladies scheduled each week. In addition to running her salon, she also served as an Administrative Assistant in the Missiles Department at Hill Air Force Base. She took great pride in her work with the government and genuinely enjoyed the people she worked alongside. After twenty years of dedicated service, she retired from Hill AFB. Even in retirement, her strong work continued. She went on to work for Living Scriptures and later at Convergys, where she earned multiple ambassador awards in recognition of her outstanding sales performance.

Mom always took pride in looking her best. She had a joyful presence with her beautifully kept hair, bright green eyes, contagious smile, bubbly personality, and very put-together outfits. She always made sure that she allocated just as much time to getting her kids ready as she did to getting herself ready. She liked to practice her bouffant hairdos on her daughters.

Some of mom’s favorite things were going for rides, telling stories, swinging outside on her patio, painting ceramics, and playing the piano. She found joy in cooking for others, in fact, she continued this tradition up until her very last days of life. Some of her staple meals included cabbage and ham, tuna on toast, salmon balls, stuffed peppers, roast and mashed potatoes, and sweet and sour. She especially loved making her famous mac and cheese for her grandchildren. Mom hosted every holiday celebration where she made chili, lasagna, cakes, and pies. Above all, her favorite hobby was making chocolates during Christmas time for everyone.

Her most prized possession, and what she valued and cherished most of all, were her kids and grandkids. She filled her home with such warmth and kindness that it became a place we were drawn to often. She is the sole reason that all ten of her kids and her numerous grandkids live within a thirty-minute radius. She was happiest when she was surrounded by her family.

Mom’s greatest quality was her gift to make everyone feel loved and special. In the short time since her passing, countless people have expressed how warm and inviting she was. Mom truly made everyone feel important.

She valued her role as a disciple of Jesus Christ and a devoted member of His restored church. She held many positions within the church, although her favorite calling was the ward librarian. Mom took this job very seriously, as she was the glue that held her ward together. She devoted at least ten years to this calling and was crushed when she was released.

Joyce is survived by her nine children, Craig (Emlee), Nancy (Allen), Bonnie, Michael, Mark (Ashley), Ryan (Michelle), Julie (Brian), Randy (Janica), Jennifer (Ryan); thirty grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents John and Alta Stimson, sister Betty Van Eerden, brother David Stimson, husband Keith Tanner, and daughter Teressa Baird.

The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to Dr. Carl Gray and Dr. Elizabeth Anderson for mom’s excellent care.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Lindquist's Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.