Joyce Emily (Houtz) Willis

Joyce Emily (Houtz) Willis, 88, passed into her eternal rest April 27, 2013, surrounded by her loving family at the Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home in Palmer.

Joyce was born Feb. 15, 1925 in Eagle Butte, S.D., to David and Rebie Houtz. Joyce and her twin brother James were the youngest of 12 siblings.

During the Great Depression of the early 1930s, the Houtz family moved from South Dakota to Oregon for more work opportunity.

After graduating from Dallas High School, she attended Monmouth College, receiving a degree in teaching. Joyce met her loving husband Ed in Barstow, Calif., in 1947 and they were married June 23, 1949.

Joyce and Ed traveled to Alaska via the Alaska Highway in 1950, arriving in Anchorage and eventually settled in Eagle River in 1953. Joyce taught school both in California and Alaska.

Joyce had many hobbies such as gardening, carving, quilting, sewing, tole painting and later traveling in their fifth-wheel in the warmer south 48. Joyce was an integral partner with Ed on many of his political events as an assemblyman and state legislator.

Joyce was preceded in death by her son, Steve, and daughter Linda.

She is survived by her husband, Ed Willis; two sons, Rodney Willis (Linda) of Eagle River and Charlie Willis (Robin) of Anacortes, Wash.; and daughter, Marla Griffin (Jesse) of Deltona Florida; along with eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life is at the Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home, 250 East Fireweed Ave., Palmer, at 1:30 p.m., May 4 among her many friends and caregivers.