Joyce Elizabeth Hansen Heileson

Joyce Elizabeth Hansen Heileson passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Saturday, July 11, 2009 at the Downey Care Center. She was born December 16, 1931 to Alma Peter and Rose Marie Metzner Hansen in Thorton, Idaho. She was the fifth of six children.
She lived her childhood in the Independence and Thorton Idaho areas. She was a graduate of Rexburg High School and Seminary.
She married her eternal companion and love of her life, Grant Milton Heileson, on July 26, 1950 in the Idaho Falls Temple. To this union they were blessed with six beautiful daughters.
She devoted her life to her husband, daughters and family which also includes to date, 18 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
She was a true friend to everyone she met and those that met her, loved her! She knew no guile. She was a wonderful child, sister, friend, mother and wife. She struggled with accepting compliments because she was such a humble person. It was because of her humble and quiet way, she influenced countless people throughout her lifetime.
She loved to serve, both those around her and the Lord. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and held many different positions.
Words cannot describe the loss we feel but she is now free of the earthly chains that held her here. Although she just physically just passed, Alzheimer’s disease started to take her from us years ago. We all look forward to having her call us by name, hug and kiss us and hear the words “I love you” once again.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Calvin Hansen and several extended family members. She is survived by her husband Grant and their six daughters. #1-Deneice (Pat Bennett, Rexburg ID), #2-Dianna (Brad Chase, Clinton UT), #3-Renee (Dale Hull, So. Jordan UT), #4-Annette (Bob Gruhler, Chico CA), #5-Lisa (Jeff Storey, No. Ogden UT) and #6-Carolyn Johnson Heileson.
The family would like to thank the Malad Hospice Alliance Center and the Downey Care Center and the gifted care givers for the loving and respectful way they cared for our angel mother.
A special thanks to Jodi Jones and Karen Jones who have shared and cared for our mom for the last three years. They are now “adopted” sisters #7 & #8.
We appreciate family, neighbors, ward members and the Malad community for all their love and support.
Thanks to Apral and Kathy Ipsen for the every Monday night dinner and a movie/Family Home Evening.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 16, 2009 at 1:00 pm in the Malad LDS Stake Center, 1250 N 1100 W. Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday evening, July 15, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the Horsley Funeral Home, 132 W 300 N in Malad and again on Thursday morning from 11:30 – 12:30p.m. at the church prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Pleasantview Cemetery.