Joyce peacefully passed away to her heavenly home on January 7, 2023 at the age of 94. Born in Logan, Utah on May 6, 1928 to Russell B. Oldham and Mary Emilie Swensen Oldham, she was the 2nd oldest of five children. Joyce grew up in Logan and graduated from Logan High School in 1946, then attended Utah State University. She often spoke of her wonderful childhood with great love and respect for her parents, sisters and brothers.
She worked for Western Union, and in her mid 20’s when a promotion opportunity was presented, she accepted and moved to Denver, CO with her younger sister, Shirley. There, Joyce met her sweetheart, Dale Ocken, while he was stationed at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver. They were married in Logan, Utah on December 17, 1954 and then moved and were stationed at TravisAirForce Base in Fairfield, CA.
After Dale completed his Air Force service in 1956, he and Joyce moved to San Jose, CA where she continued working for Western Union while Dale completed his degree. She became a full-time homemaker when they moved to Manteca, CA, where Dale started his teaching career and their first daughter, Julie, was born. In 1962, they moved toLos Banos, where they made their permanent home, and their second daughter, Lori, was born.
Family was extremely important to Joyce, and she, Dale and daughters would travel to Logan, UT to spend the summer months with her parents and siblings’ families each year. Joyce was an excellent homemaker and cook. For ninety-four wonderful years, she selflessly dedicated her life as as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great -grandmother and was very much a part of her five grandchildren’s daily lives and upbringing. She enjoyed playing Bridge, various types of crafts, and afternoon visits with close friends in her spare time. Joyce was kind, generous and compassionate, and could always be counted on. Above all, she loved spending time with her family and being in service to them and others.
Joyce was preceded in death by her husband Dale, her daughter Lori, sisters Leatrice Van and Shirley Chapman, and brother Russell B. Oldham. Joyce is survived by her daughter Julie Ocken Nunes and her husband Steven, and one brother Raymond I. Oldham. In addition, she was the proud grandma of Jenna Kuhmann (Daniel), Jamie Glenn (Matthew), Cara Oliveira (Dustin), Trevor Noordman and Tiffani Oliveira. Joyce was also blessed with nine great-grandchildren: Brandon, Kaylee, and Emma Kuhmann, Kinley, Haley, Derek, and Tyson Glenn, and Amelia and Audrey Oliveira.
Memorial Services will be held on Thursday, January 19th, 2023 at 10:30 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1826 Center Avenue, Los Banos, CA. Burial service will be held at 2:00 PM at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, 32053 McCabe Rd, Santa Nella, CA. Services are entrusted to Allen Mortuary, Turlock, CA.
The family wishes to give special thanks to family members, friends and caregivers.
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