Joyce Theander

Joyce Eloise Keasling was born June 19, 1932, to Dale and Irene Keasling in Protection, Kansas.  Joyce attended grade school in Protection, Kansas; she graduated from high school in Ashland, Kansas, in 1951.  Joyce and Richard were married on August 16, 1953, at the Methodist Church in Ashland, Kansas.  Joyce and Richard were blessed with five children:  Helen, Connie, Richard, Linda, and Larry.  Joyce was a devoted wife, loving mother, and a friend to everyone she met.  Joyce enjoyed sewing, crocheting, embroidering, and anything craft related, especially if it was for her grandchildren.  Joyce also enjoyed bird watching, her favorite bird being the red cardinal.  Being a farmer and rancher's wife she was good at making old things new again.  For many years she cooked not only for her family but also for the hired hands at Shaw's Feedyard.  She also helped at the First Christian Church in Ashland, Kansas, and she worked at the Ashland High School cafeteria when needed.  Joyce was preceded in death by the following loved ones:  Richard, her husband of 66 years; her parents Dale and Irene Keasling; her infant daughter Helen Irene; her sister Donna Graff; and brothers Donald Keasling and James Keasling.  Joyce went to be with her Lord and Savior on December 13, 2019, at Wheatlands Health Care Center in Kingman, Kansas.  Joyce is survived by:  sons Richard (Jeannee) Theander of Richmond, Texas, and Larry (Shelly) Theander of Ashland, Kansas; daughters Connie (John) Scammey of Independence, Kansas, and Linda (Keith) Dreiling of Topeka, Kansas; seven grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; nieces; nephews; other family; and friends.  The family suggests memorials to Rivercross Hospice, 251 South Whittier, Wichita, KS 67207, and Wheatlands Health Care Center, 750 West Washington, Kingman, KS 67068.