Joyce Ryska Heaton
Joyce Ryska Heaton was called home by her Savior on January 15 th , 2023, after a 37-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. She passed peacefully at home, surrounded by her family who loved her dearly. She fought this disease to the very end, digging deep for every ounce of grace and acceptance she could muster, and she never once complained.
Joyce was born to William and Grace Ryska on February 16 th , 1944 and joined her older brother Roger in their family of four. She grew up in Star, Idaho where her father farmed and raised cattle. She spent her childhood helping milk the cows with her father and learned from her mother, one of her great talents of baking pies.
Joyce met her husband, Ronnie Heaton in January, 1963 at Murray’s drive-in in Boise, and they married in August that year. Their daughter Keri was born in 1965, followed by Brian in 1967, Kimberly in 1968, and Brent in 1969. They lived in Pocatello and Boise before making their final home in Star, on a parcel of land on her father’s farm gifted to them by her parents.
Joyce was immensely talented in arts and crafts, and spent her adult years always creating. There was nothing she couldn’t draw, paint, quilt, sew, crochet, or create, whether it be painting landscapes on canvas and saw blades, making apple-head dolls, creating quilts for her kids and baby blankets for her grandchildren, scrapbooking, or making greeting cards for her family and friends for their birthdays or anniversaries. Her hands were always busy bringing to life, whatever her imagination could envision.
She was a member of Star Friends Church (later Star Community Church) since 1974 and was active in helping with Bible School and teaching Sunday School in the early years, and with the Friend’s Women group after that. She was a well-respected and dearly loved member of her church and had many life-long friends there.
Joyce is survived by her husband, Ronnie Heaton, their daughter Keri (Richard) Taylor, son Brian (Thea) Heaton, daughter Kimberly (Tom) Naaf, and son Brent (Ruth) Heaton. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Sandy Taylor, Heather (Bobby) Amidon, Alyssa (Derek) Craven, Rebecca (Justin) Phillips, Nick (Leann) Naaf, Joshua (Bre) Taylor, Brad (Rachael) Naaf, Cassidy (Carter) Jennings, Wayne (Grace) Heaton, Louie Heaton, Samuel Heaton, and Sawyer Heaton, and 18 great-grandchildren. She also is survived by her beloved Sisters-in-law, Linda Ryska, Patti Hulvershorn, and Mary Heaton, and Brothers-in-law, Richard Heaton and Doyle Heaton and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Grace and William Ryska and step-mother Hazel, her brother Roger, her grandson Jordan, and her sisters-in-law, Peggy Lane and Betty Heaton.
Joyce leaves behind, a legacy of deep love for her Lord and Savior, and for her family and friends. She will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to know her.
A viewing will be held from 6 pm to 8 pm on Friday, February 3rd at Bowman funeral home located at 10254 W Carlton Bay Drive, in Boise. Burial will take place at 10 am on Saturday, February 4 th at Star Cemetery, located at 9350 W Floating Feather Rd. Star, Idaho. A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, February 4 th at Crossroads Community Church located at 4170 E. Amity Ave. in Nampa, Idaho. A time of fellowship and remembrance will follow the memorial service in the Crossroads church.
Arrangements are under the direction of Bowman Funeral Parlor of Garden City.