Joyce Ella Olsen

Joyce Ella Willey Thorne Olsen, 84, Jerome, Idaho passed away on January 11, 2024, at Creekside Assisted Living, Jerome, Idaho, which became her home for many years. Joyce was born March 13, 1939, in American Falls, Idaho, the daughter of Elden Henniger and Delores Kidd Willey.

Joyce grew up on her parents’ farm in Sterling, Idaho with her two brothers and four sisters. She attended school through the eighth grade in Aberdeen. She held various jobs throughout her life. Many of them as a waitress and working with potatoes whether it was in the fields, sorting, or at the potato processing plant. She spent many summers running the Idaho Mammoth Cave with her kids.

She married Myrlon John Thorne on March 22, 1957, in Elko, Nevada. To this union Terressa, Brenda, Carrie, Jeffrey, and Robin were born. They were later divorced. She married Richard Arthur Olsen on June 20, 1964, in Pocatello, Idaho. His son, Stephen joined the family, and they welcomed Debra. They were later divorced.

Joyce was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She loved singing and we would hear her in the background often. Grandma Joyce sang to and with her grandchildren when they came to visit. Joyce enjoyed singing with the Relief Society Choir and on Easter she often wore a beautiful Orchid corsage. She was beautiful.

She was a good seamstress and made many dresses for her girls sometimes using old curtains so they would have a new Easter dress. She made the best bread and sometimes traded it to help pay her dental bills.  Joyce always kept her hands busy by crocheting, knitting, and doing some embroidery.  

She would always say “I love my children, and my children’s children.”  We always knew that she loved us and would take care of us the best she could.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Henry; sisters, Madge Harwell, Roxie Chapman, and Marjorie Willey; and grandsons, Phillip Jensen and Andrew Fabela.

Joyce is survived by her children, Terressa (Don Michael) Cramer, Brenda (Rick) Haberman, Carrie (Scott) Jensen, Jeffrey (Dawn) Thorne, Robin (Jodi) Thorne, and Debra (Troy) Murray; stepson, Stephen Olsen; siblings, Milton (Peg) Willey, and Rosalie Bauer; many grandchildren, great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family appreciates the care mom received from the staff while she was a resident of Creekside Assisted Living, Dr. James Irwin and his nurse, Lori Buttars, along with Idaho Home Health and Hospice, and her nurse, Brian Baecht.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., with a viewing beginning at 9:00 a.m., Saturday, January 20, 2024, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 26 N 100 East, Jerome, Idaho.  Grave dedication will be at 2:00 p,m. at the Aberdeen Cemetery, Aberdeen, Idaho.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Joyce’s memorial webpage at www.farnsworthmortuary.com.