Joyce Joan Laaker

Joyce Joan Laaker, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully on May 18, 2021 at her home. Joyce was born January 26, 1943 in Kansas City MO to the late Joseph and Lillian (Walker) Rains.

Joyce and her family moved to Englewood CO when Joyce was 3 years old. She matriculated in the Englewood CO schools, graduating in 1961 from Englewood High. In fact, she missed her baccalaureate service because she was getting married! Joyce met John, the love of her life, on a blind date in 1960. They were married on June 4, 1961 but had to wait to go on their

honeymoon until Joyce had graduated. June 4, 2021 would have been their 60th Wedding Anniversary.

John and Joyce moved to Sidney NE after their marriage where the first 2 children, Julia Jean and John Jerome Jr. were born. The family moved to Longmont CO in 1965 where their youngest son, Joseph Jay was born.

Joyce worked at several different companies until she landed her dream job at IBM. After early retirement from IBM, Joyce worked at Walmart in the craft/fabric department. She enjoyed that job very much and loved talking to customers about their ongoing projects. Joyce could talk to anyone and always had a smile on her face. Everyone always commented on her brilliant warm smile.

Joyce enjoyed life, especially with all her family. She and John were regularly active in the Colorado Model A Club. Joyce could drive her Model A in competitions and beat the men! Bingo was a big part of Joyce enjoying life – going all the way back to going to Bingo with her mother and then with her daughter. Family time was her favorite, making holidays and every day with family incredibly special.

Joyce is survived by her beloved husband John, her loving children Julia Marino of Longmont, John Jr. (Kelly) of Carson City NV and Joey (La Cleta) Laaker of Longmont. She is further survived by her precious grandchildren Heather (Royle), Jason (Sarah), Matthew, Jordan, Jennifer (Tony) and Zachery. Joyce is also survived by her treasured great grandchildren Tony, Zander, Ewan, Eli and Ivy, as well as several special nieces, nephews and friends, along with her brother Robert (Marcia) Rains of Littleton.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, mother and father-in-law Hank and Flora Laaker, daughter-in-law Cindy, brother Bud and his wife Saundra, niece Debbie Burton, and her sister and brother-in-law Deanna and Gary Grose.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Joyce will be held Friday May 28, 2021 at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 3411 S. Taft, Loveland CO at 1:00 pm.

The family will have a private inurnment on Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at Foothills Garden of Memory.

Howe Mortuary is taking care of cremation arrangements.