Joyce Ellen Hardesty

She was born on February 20, 1932, in Bayaud, Nebraska, to Ernest Dorwin and Edith Allie Miller (Mann). She grew up on the family farm that her grandfather homesteaded, along with her three siblings, Jack, Sally, and Jean. The family raised turkeys and maintained large gardens that sustained them during the Depression. The farm was located northwest of Longmont and southwest of Berthoud, Colorado. It was a peaceful and quiet place.

Joyce graduated from Longmont High School in 1949. She chose to attend Longmont High School rather than Berthoud High School because it offered more opportunities than the smaller school. In the 1970s, she attended business college.

On July 16, 1950, Joyce married the love of her life, Ralph E. Hardesty, at the First United Brethren Church in Berthoud, where she had attended as a child. They lived in the Loveland area until 1961, then moved to Boulder, Colorado. In 2003, they purchased a home in north Longmont, where Joyce continued to live. Their union was blessed with two children.

Mesa Vista Sanitarium in Boulder had a wing for Navajo children brought from the reservation who had tuberculosis. When they were no longer contagious, the children were allowed to spend a day at a time in local homes to become acquainted with the “white man’s ways.” On Christmas Day 1962, the Hardesty family shared their Christmas with two little ones, ages 2 and 3. The family fell in love with them and continued to welcome many children into their home as often as possible. The sanitarium wing closed in 1965, and the children were sent back to the reservation.

In 1965, Ralph and Joyce used their vacations to take loads of food, clothing, bedding, Coleman lanterns, bicycles, and other necessities to meet the needs of Navajo families. People in Colorado generously donated items for them to take south. In 1971, they left the University of Colorado and began full-time ministry. They formed Worship the Sun Ministries and continued their visits to the reservation. They also began preaching, teaching, holding tent meetings, and leading Vacation Bible Schools. They made their own tracts and participated in street ministry as well.

When they were no longer able to travel to the reservation, they continued ministering from Colorado. They went out into the streets of Boulder and Longmont, sharing their faith and bringing people to Jesus. They also took children from their church into the streets to teach them how to minister. The relationship with the Navajo people continues to this day, and many Navajo friends have traveled to Colorado to visit, including World War II Code Talkers.

Joyce cared deeply for everyone around her and never met a stranger. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother who always called to check in—especially on birthdays—to sing and send cards. She handwrote heartfelt Christmas cards every year. Until her final days, she attended a monthly lunch with her dear friends. Even after Ralph’s passing on their 68th wedding anniversary in 2018, Joyce continued to donate to ministries and her church. She always wanted to make sure others had what they needed. She loved animals and always had a little dog at her side. Most people called her “Mom”—she was a mother to anyone who needed one.

She was a current member of Christ Church International and a past member of Aglow Ministries.

In 1976, Ralph and Joyce survived the Big Thompson Flood, sitting on the side of a mountain while floodwaters crashed around them. They enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and spending time with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Joyce loved the Lord and loved attending Bible studies and church. She enjoyed sewing and making things and was an excellent cook. She taught all her grandchildren to make Indian fry bread and pies from scratch. She loved having her grandchildren over for sleepovers. They played hide-and-seek with Grandpa and teased him, cooked over the outdoor fire pit at the Boulder house, climbed onto the roof to watch fireworks, dug up worms from the compost pile, and tilled her massive garden. She even took a trip to Egypt and rode a camel in the desert. Joyce was a very organized and detail-oriented woman.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Ralph E. Hardesty; her son, David Hardesty (2015); and her siblings, Jack Wilson (2002) and Sally Myers (2008).

She is survived by her daughter, Sharon Kelderman (Larry); her grandchildren and their spouses, Sarah Smith (Monty), Matthew Hardesty (Allie), Rhonda Witte (Craig), Josh Kelderman, Rachel Folger, and Charity Kelderman; and her great-grandchildren, Michael, Branden, Ziah, Sunny, Hayley, Mitchell, Delilah, Faith, and Reese. She is also survived by her beloved dog, Sammy, and all those who came to know and love her.

A Visitation for family & friends will be held on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel, located at 326 Terry Street, Longmont, Colorado.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March, 14, 2026 at Orchard Community Church located at 470 Briggs Street Erie, Colorado 80516. A reception will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Joyce's honor to Four Corners Home For Children. 2103 W Main Street Farmington NM 87401

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com with her loving family.