Joyce Pearl Wallewein

Born Joyce Pearl Ellison to Henry Allen Ellison and Julia Olivia Ellison in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada, on November 17, 1935, she was the eldest of her two siblings, her brother Gerald and her sister Marilyn. On December 7, 2024, Joyce passed away peacefully at home.

Her early years were spent in a variety of small towns in British Columbia and Alberta. At the age of 19, she graduated from the teacher training program at Canadian Union College, and took a job teaching grades one through four in a two room school in Calgary, Alberta. There she met Raymond Jensen and they married on July 4, 1956.

Joyce and Ray had three children, Corie, Larry, and Charlene, and in 1966 the family moved to Yakima, Washington, where they soon purchased their first apple orchard. Joyce happily settled into farm life, raising children, caring for a home, and working in her garden. Joyce was happiest outside working in her large, immaculate, vegetable garden. In 1980 Joyce and Ray moved back to Canada to try their hand at grain farming. Eventually they returned to Yakima and began farming apples again. When Ray died suddenly in 1993, Joyce sold the orchard, moved into town, and began working in her brother’s medical office.

Several years later Joyce reconnected with an old family friend, Norman Wallewein, who had lost his wife to cancer. They married in 1998. Staying in Yakima, they purchased a house with a big back yard where Joyce could once again have a large vegetable garden. Joyce and Norman enjoyed taking care of their home and garden for many years until the time came that the work was beyond their capabilities. They were thrilled to be able to move into an apartment in Joyce’s son and daughter-in-law’s home with a wonderful view of the Yakima valley. Norman passed away in September of 2024 while visiting his son in California. Joyce continued to live in her home thanks to the loving care she had from her children and with the help of her devoted caregiver, Hope.

Throughout her life the most important thing was her relationship with God, which was rooted in reading her Bible through many times and having an active prayer life. Her deep connection with God was reflected in her kindness to all. She was active in her church and served in various roles including many years of teaching the children’s classes. Her devotion to her family included home cooked meals utilizing food from her large gardens, homemade bread, home canned fruit, a clean house and lots of love.

Joyce leaves behind a family who misses her deeply. She is survived by many loving family members including her three children; Corie Jensen, Larry Jensen (wife Raylee Weaver Jensen), and Charlene Jensen Morrow (husband Douglas Morrow); her sister Marilyn Glaim (husband Lorne Glaim); six grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

Good bye for now, Joyce, but not forever. Love always, from all of us.