Joyce was born to Rufus and Mabel Ashelford at the Darcy Hospital in Miles City, on September 21, 1920. She passed away in the early morning of February 16, 2016.
Joyce was raised on the old Caprock Ranch north of Miles City. She attended country school, but came into Miles City to attend Custer County High School. After high school, she attended Billings Polytechnic Institute, now Rocky Mountain College, where she studied music. She subsequently taught piano in Hardin before moving back to Billings and working at Hopper’s flower shop.
She married Victor Stricker on July 15, 1943, after which they spent the rest of the war at various Army Air Force training bases in the central valley of California. Following the war, they returned to Miles City, where Joyce gave birth to two sons, Allan and John. She spent the rest of her life largely as a housewife and devoted gardener. During that time, she avidly pursued her true love of raising flowers, being greatly enamored of iris, with some 60 plus varieties in the yard. She and Vic moved to Billings in 1982, where she lived until her passing.
She is survived by two sons, Allan Stricker of Helena; John Stricker and wife, Terri, of Billings; two grandsons, Scott Stricker and wife, Dawn, of Gresham, OR; Shane Stricker and wife, Tara, of Billings; two granddaughters, Tara Kulesa of Billings; Stacey Stricker of Lincoln, Nebraska; four great-grandsons, Austin and Dylan Briant; Tristan Stricker-Slaughter; and Lincoln Stricker; and special friends Jim and Charlotte Horton.
Visitation will be held on Friday, February 19, 2016 from 1:00-6:00 p.m. at Smith Downtown Funeral Chapel in Billings. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Smith Downtown Funeral Chapel in Billings. Interment will follow on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday February 19, 2016
Smith Downtown Funeral Home
925 S. 27th Street
Billings, Montana 59101
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Saturday February 20, 2016
Smith Downtown Funeral Home
925 S. 27th Street
Billings, Montana 59101
Graveside Service
3:30 p.m.
Saturday February 20, 2016
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday February 19, 2016
Smith Downtown Funeral Home
925 S. 27th Street
Billings, Montana 59101
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Saturday February 20, 2016
Smith Downtown Funeral Home
925 S. 27th Street
Billings, Montana 59101
Graveside Service
3:30 p.m.
Saturday February 20, 2016
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Eileen and Vern Entzel says
To the family of Joyce Stricker: You are in our thoughts and prayers.
G Huckeba says
I am so sorry for your loss. May the ‘God of all comfort’ be with you during this difficult time. I have personally found comfort in the promise at 1 Corinthians 15:26 where it states that very soon ‘death will be brought to nothing’. Then, we have the prospect of being reunited with our loved ones right here on earth (John 5:28,29). I truly hope this has brought you comfort and hope. With deepest sympathies, Gwen and family.
Renée Peterson says
Allan and John,
I remember both of you in band in high school , and I want you to know that my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Renée Peterson
Deb says
Allan
I’m so sorry to hear that your mom passed. I appreciate being considered one of your good friends in sending me this email. I haven’t opened my computer for days so I just got this. I’m sure you will be busy with arrangements for a while…I’m just beginning to seemingly through with the ones my brother and I had to make since our mom passed in early January. If there’s anything you need text or call me. Obviously, I’m not very prompt with email communication
Mark Browning says
Allan
Sorry to hear the news of your mum. Best to you and family as you adjust to new times.