Laurel “Joyce” Madsen of La Grande, former longtime Hermiston resident, died on Feb. 15, 2019 in La Grande at the age of 87.
She was born on Aug. 22, 1931 in Thayne, Wyo. to Franklin James and Blanche Idell Haderlie Sibbett.
She was raised and attended school in Star Valley, Wyo. and later in Layton, Utah. She attended Davis High School in Bountiful, where she was a member of the Pro Schola club and participated in other social activities. While attending Davis High she met the love of her life, Donald B. Madsen, and they were united in marriage on June 30, 1950 in the Salt Lake City temple. She worked a variety of jobs over the next couple of years, including being a telephone operator, while Don pursued his education in Ogden, Utah and later in Caldwell, Idaho. While in Caldwell, Joyce gave birth to their first son, Michael. They moved several more times, living in Parma, Idaho and Dayville before settling in Hermiston in 1956. In Hermiston she gave birth to their second son, Mark. It was there that Joyce decided to return to college to become a teacher. She commuted to Pendleton for two years and then later to La Grande for two years in pursuit of her degree. She went on to teach at Sunset Elementary in Hermiston for the next 25 years. Joyce retired in 1995, but still loved the students in the classroom and enjoyed substituting for several more years.
She had many hobbies including cooking, baking, scrapbooking and gardening. For each of these activities she had her favorite tools: butter, endless photos and Miracle-Gro. While she enjoyed these activities, nothing compared to the joy of being around her family. She relished gatherings and traditional holidays with family and friends. In addition to her children, she mothered ball players of all ages. She was the faithful coach’s wife, logging hundreds of hours on benches around the state and preparing countless team meals at their home. Joyce and Don helped to instill knowledge, values and character in so many young children and adults through parenting, teaching and coaching with compassion and love.
Joyce was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many callings, including a stake mission with Don to the Willow Creek branch for two years.
She is survived by her sons, Michael Madsen, Hermiston and Mark Madsen and his wife JoAnna, La Grande; siblings, Jay Sibbett, Las Vegas, Nev. and Cheryl Humphrey and her husband Wayne, Maple Valley, Wash.; grandchildren, Ashley (Greg), Allison, Steven (Danielle), Anne (Jake), Soren (Lacey), Seth and Sophia; great grandchildren, Kole, Emery, Tyler, Elizabeth, Angel, Charlotte, Sawyer and Reese; many loved precious nieces and nephews; and countless ball players and students.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Don; her parents; and a brother, Kent Sibbett.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 850 S.W. 11th St., Hermiston.
Burial will follow at the Hermiston Cemetery.
Please share memories of Joyce with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
