Born to Jack and Joyce Geisler in Powell, Wyoming on May 15, 1953, Joyanna grew up with an adventurous spirit delighting in the outdoors, reading and learning, and actively engaging in the world around her. Her father's endearing stories of Joyanna reveal how her early childhood traits braided into her adulthood. Wearing a nail apron at 4 years of age, Joyanna insisted helping her family build a new house sitting on the subfloor hammering nails. She was so self-sufficient with her task and her desire to contribute to the family's efforts, Jack laughingly noticed years later her subfloor spot was completely "ratted with nails." As she grew older, Joyanna loved animals and with her savings purchased a mare only to be gleefully surprised in the spring when a colt was born who she affectionately cared for and named "Bucky." If you know Joyanna, you realize a 2-for-1 deal always was a win!

In high school, Joyanna devoured books, engaged with friends, and hung out with the teenage girls at the Wyoming Girls School where her father was the Superintendent. She witnessed some mischief there, but Jack always felt relief coming home to his teenage daughter who excelled at school and didn't give her parents worry. Even as a teen, Joyanna was highly aware of how people in the world were being treated: the servants of her exchange family in Mexico, the residents with profound disabilities in the Wyoming Training School, and the "have-nots" -- voicing her upset when others were not regarded with respect and dignity.

Joyanna went on to earn an undergraduate degree at the University of Utah in Psychology and a Master's degree in Special Education from the University of Montana, later teaching in Hardin, MT bordering the Crow Nation for 2 years. After living in several towns in the Pacific Northwest, in 1983 she hopped the ferry to Alaska and onboard reconnected with her former coworker, Sandy Cronland, launching a long, enduring friendship. Two years teaching special education in Anchorage motivated Joyanna to move to Homer, a community and landscape she loved until her last breath.

Little did she realize when she founded the Independent Living Program at Homer's Mental Health Center in 1986, she was crafting a lasting legacy and impact. In 1991, the program became the Independent Living Center, a 501©3 nonprofit serving people experiencing disabilities on the Southern Kenai Peninsula. The consummate advocate, Joyanna added offices in the Central Peninsula (1995), Seward (1997), and Kodiak (2017) ensuring people with disabilities realize self-determination and equal opportunities.

Her proactive reach went beyond the Gulf Coast though as Joyanna is credited with bringing Home and Community-Based Care Services for Veterans to Alaska as well as Consumer-Directed Personal Care Services empowering people to manage their own in-home care.
In addition, the ILC was one of the demonstration sites for the Transportation Voucher program securing accessible and available transportation services for rural residents in the state. Joyanna's steadfast commitment and unflagging leadership in the disability community won her several awards but her genuine motivation was to help people make better lives for themselves. In 1995 and 2018, she was awarded the National Council on Independent Regional Advocacy Award Region X and the Governor's Award to Independent Living Center Homer in 1995. Recognition came again in 2006 as an Award by the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL's) Transportation Project and Expanding Rural Transportation Options and in 2007, nationally with the Earl Walden Award for Outstanding Achievement in Rural Advocacy.

Although Joyanna stuffed her weeks with long work hours, she liked to read, garden, kayak, hike, backpack, pick berries, mountain bike, camp, play games, and connect with friends. Some of her most relaxing times were traveling in Peru, Rarotonga, Mexico, China, Roatan, and Costa Rica.

On Feb 15, 2025, Joyanna crossed the threshold with her best friends at her side. Her mother passed 2 years ago. Living are her father, Jack of Powell, WY; her brother, Jim (Carrol) Geisler of Ilfeld, NM; numerous relatives; her dear canine Maya; and her Alaska family of beloved friends. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, May 16 at 1:00 pm in the backyard of the Homer Independent Living Center at 265 E. Pioneer Ave. All are welcome. Memorials in her honor can be given to ILC or Hospice of Homer.

As one ILC consumer shared "the world is less for her leaving."

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Peninsula Clarion on Apr. 24, 2025.