Dorothy “Joyce” Rooney went home to be with the Lord on January 6, 2025, at the age of 91. Joyce was born to Lewis and Dorothy Todd on November 30, 1933, in Miles City, MT. She met Hugh “Lewis” Rooney in high school. They were married on August 19, 1950. Joyce graduated from Custer County High School. They made their home on the old Choate place on Beaver Creek. They were ranchers for 60 years before retiring to Miles City in 2011. May 15, 2020, they moved to Morning Star Senior Living Reflections in Billings, where they resided until time of death. They celebrated 71 years and 10 days of marriage before Lewis went home to be with the Lord on August 29, 2021. They began married life living in the old log ranch house. They were blessed with the birth of Jim in 1953. Kathi and Kelli were born in June of 1962. Dori Lu was born in December of 1962. The family outgrew the ranch house, so Dad added a large 2 story addition.
Mom held an unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. She and Dad drove 65 miles to church most every Sunday, only missing when the roads were impassable or during calving season. Mom and Dad shared their faith with others and were long time members of Fellowship Baptist Church in Miles City. Mom had the gift of hospitality and a servant’s heart. Mom, as a child, suffered through polio and scarlet fever, and later in life, the death of her little girl, Dori Lu, at the age of 4. During their married life hardships and blessings occurred. Together they went through hailstorms, fires, blizzards, drought, and grasshoppers. They also went through years of green grass and lots of rain, good wheat crops and heavy calves in the fall. Mom didn’t have a lot of hobbies, but one thing she enjoyed in her later years was tole painting. She and Mrs. Pete Minow spent many hours of painting together. In all of this, Mom’s faith and trust in the Lord carried her through.
Mom is survived by her children, Jim Rooney, Kathi (Randy) Pfeifle, and Kelli (Doug); sister, Janice Miller, sister-in-law, Betty Ann Dilger; grandchildren: DeAnn Sue, Sean (Staci) Rooney, James Rooney, Eric (Jessica), Ryan (Karla), Kelsi (Savon), Ty, Nick, Ash (Nicki) and Robert; great grandchildren: Wyatt, Avery, Elease, Joshua, Ariel, Chloe, Zachary, Ryan, Stefan, Kamila, Kaliyah and Saiah; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceeded in death by her parents, Lewis and Dorothy Todd, husband Lewis Rooney (2021), daughter Dori Lu Rooney (1967), and beloved sister and best friend, Vera Schiller (2021).
We know that we will see Mom again in Heaven one day. She is now sitting at the feet of Jesus, rejoicing with those who went before her. She was a prayer warrior and her prayer for you is that you would put your trust in Jesus and be saved and that she would one day see you again in Heaven. John 3:16
Special thank you to the staff at Morning Star and Stillwater Hospice for taking such good care of Mom.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, January 12, 2025 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home. A funeral service will take place om Monday, January 13, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home with the interment to follow in the family plot at Custer County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com
Service Schedule
Visitation
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Sunday January 12, 2025
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Monday January 13, 2025
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles, Montana 59301
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Monday January 13, 2025
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Visitation
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Sunday January 12, 2025
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Monday January 13, 2025
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles, Montana 59301
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Monday January 13, 2025
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Share
James Arneson says
I am sorry to hear of the loss of your mom. Growing up in the church with your family is one of my greatest memories. Stopping at the ranch to ask to hunt or when I worked for Allen down the road allowed me to see how wonderful both of uour parents were as Christians. May God comfort you with the best of memories now and always.
Melody Allies says
To The Rooney Family
I’m so sorry for your loss, and I’m sending hugs and prayers to the Rooney family 🫂🙏
Curtis and Kate Terrett says
So sorry for your loss. Kate and I are in AZ. We won’t make it to Joyce’s funeral but you all are in our prayers
Craig and Jerianne Dunnam says
I met Lewis and Joyce at Fellowship Baptist Church on my way through Miles City. When I moved to Miles City and joined FBC; we became brothers and sisters in Christ. Lewis and Joyce were the example to all younger “Believers’ in our Church. Although we certainly will miss Joyce, we rejoice with the family at her home-going. 2 Corinthians 5:8 says, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord”. My wife, Jerianne knew the Rooneys far longer than I did. We will miss this grand Lady. Grieve but for a moment and then rejoice as Joyce is with her Lord and Savior Jesus. PRAYING!
Jana Hammond says
Our hearts and prayers are with you at this time. What a blessing to know that Joyce is before her Savior and reunited with those so close who went before her. May God’s blessing and peace be with you all during this great loss.
All our love, Rick and Jana Hammond
Vivian Kipp says
Sincere sympathy to the family, I enjoyed visiting with all at the cousin reunion.
June Opp says
To the family of Joyce Rooney, I am so sad to see about the passing of your lovely mother . I know she will be missed by you all but knowing that she longer is suffering and is now rejoicing in heaven with family members who have gone before her. May you be Blessed and comforted by our Heavenly Father during these difficult times and forever more.
June Opp
Laura Lee Ullrich says
I am m so sorry to hear of Joyce’s passing. What a wonderful Christian woman she was! Sending my sympathy and prayers for you all.
Jan cornutt says
Sorry to hear about Joyce, I believed her and Lewis mail, I always look forward in visiting with them. Praying 🙏 for the family.
Lani says
I had the privilege to care for Joyce when I worked in memory care In 2023-24 . She was a joy to know .. my love to the family ..
lani
Pete and June Minow says
Jim, Kathi and Kelli,
You are in our thoughts and prayers and so sad for the loss of your mom. It is hard to lose a parent, even knowing she is with the Lord and reunited with Dori Lu and your dad. Joyce was one of my best friends, always a caring and nice person. I have so many memories of the times we painted together, the phone calls and so many fun times. I have missed her since she moved to Billings but rejoice in knowing that I will see her again in heaven.
Marie Kluver says
My thoughts and prayers are with you. My Mom Katie Farnum, sure enjoyed visits with your Mom.
Melody Haynes says
Sincere Sympathy. Gods blessings to you all!
Bev Charlton says
My prayers are with your family. Jim, I so enjoyed the times your Mom rode out to Shepherd Bible Church with me and she told me several times how you could study the Bible and get so much out of it. I could tell that she lived her faith. Bev
sharyn Wallace says
I learned so much while her and June would put on a painting class, more than painting. What a beautiful lady.
Don Rooney says
Dear
Jim,Kathi,Kelli & all relatives.I know it’s going to be hard Here on out losing both parents. Because I lost both of mine and still thinking about them every day. Along with uncle Allen ,aunt Vera & Ray. You all have my condolences. she will be deeply missed by all..R.I.P and Joyce..