After 94 years of life, Joyce Irene Swearingen passed away on December 23, 2024, at Wellspring Health and Rehabilitation of Cascadia in Nampa, Idaho. A celebration of her life will be held at 11:00am, Friday, January 24, 2025, at First Christian Church, Nampa, Idaho.
Joyce was born July 11, 1930, in Torrance, California to Wiard “Wirt” Etmund and Salina Irene (Wright) Etmund as the youngest of seven children, and the only one of her siblings born in California. She was raised in Los Angeles, California, where her father was a mason, and she graduated from Huntington Park High School in 1948. Joyce married Victor Swearingen on August 6, 1950, but shortly after their wedding, Victor was shipped overseas to serve in the Air Force during the Korean War. Upon his return they moved to Downy, California, eventually settling in Harbor City, California where they raised their three daughters.
Over the course of her life, Joyce lived in many places and wore many hats. Being near family was important to her and she was able to live near each of her daughters at different times in her life. Her moves took her to Santa Maria, California; Elko, Nevada; Riverton, Wyoming; and Nampa, Idaho.
Joyce held various jobs throughout her working career. She helped Victor with his wholesale and retail nurseries and worked at a greenhouse later in her life. She also worked in the office at Harvey Aluminum, for the Superintendent at El Segundo Unified School District, for Dr. Robert Ibsen at DenMat, and as an orthopedic medical transcriptionist.
Traveling was a passion for Joyce throughout her life. She enjoyed a month-long trip to Thailand and Malaysia with her sister-in-law and niece, a month spent in the Philippines, and many trips traveling up and down the west coast, including Mexico, and Canada. She also loved many summers spent camping with family in the Tetons and canoeing down the Snake River.
A legacy of faith, family, and community involvement is left by Joyce. She was a follower of Christ and active in her church. She joined women’s groups, sang in church choirs, and played the piano for both Figueroa Baptist Church and Crenshaw Christian Church.
Joyce’s family was the center of her life. She especially delighted in making ornaments for Christmas to give to each family member and passing on her love of needlework and knitting to her daughters. Everything she did revolved around family and friends, including attending many of her grandchildren’s sports and music events.
Joyce will be missed by her daughters, Janet Ruffner, Vicki (Tom) Axthelm, Ellen Inman, eight grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter. She was preceded in her death by her parents, her brothers, Dean, Alan, Keith, and David, and her sisters, Dorothy and Lois.
Memorials can be made to the First Christian Church of Nampa.
Online condolences may be made at bowmanfuneral.com