Joyce died on Wednesday, November 6th at the Monument Health in Rapid City, SD due to a short illness.
She was born July 17, 1947 at the home place on the Ames Divide in Crook County to George and Alice (Ames) Strong. Joyce was the third of ten children. She was raised in the Upton area. She graduated from Upton High School in 1965. Joyce then went to college at Black Hills State College where she was the only Strong child to graduate from college with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1969.
On November 11, 1971, Joyce married the love of her life, Samuel Edward Haptonstall. To this loving union, three children were born.
The center of her world was all of her family. She spent her time quilting and sewing, gardening, traveling, and teaching. She served on various boards within the Upton Community including the United Methodist Church and the Upton Senior Center. Joyce’s teaching career started in 1969 as a first-grade teacher for three years. Then she subbed at the school for three more years. After that, she started the kindergarten program within the Upton School system for her last 36 years of teaching. Joyce retired from teaching in the spring of 2010. After her retirement, she enjoyed traveling with Sam to various places throughout the United States and it was a bonus if it had a casino.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years Sam, three children, Karla Booker and fiancée Killian Sullivan of Bellingham, WA, Kelly Haptonstall of Casper, WY, and Kasi (Nick) White of Upton; by seven grandchildren Elijah, Sydnee, and Chloe Booker, Cecelia and Emma Haptonstall, Trevon and Tevon White; four brothers, Dave (Wendy) Strong, Dean (Sonia) Strong, Cecil (Paulette) Strong, Steve (Sherilyn) Strong all of Upton and one sister Kathy (Jerry) Tarter of Boise, ID; three sister in-laws Carol Strong of Oshoto, Betty Strong and SuEllen Strong of Upton; one brother in-law Rick (Hellen) Haptonstall of Carlie, WY; numerous nieces and nephews.
Joyce was proceeded in death by her parents, her mother and father in-law, one sister (Wilma), three brothers (George, Jerry, and John).
A memorial has been established to the Upton Senior Center and Upton Old Town.
Joyce touched so many lives in her time with us.
Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Roberts & Isburg Funeral Chapel of Sundance.
