Joyce Marie Walkenhorst

Joyce Marie Hartman Walkenhorst was born June 4, 1934, in Salt Lake City, UT, and passed away on July 2, 2024, in Bountiful, UT. Joyce was born to Jayne Francis Lamph and George Alma Hartman, and she spent the majority of her childhood near downtown Salt Lake City. When she was only 14, she and her best friend discovered two young men had started a bakery on 5th South, and strategically walked their dogs nearby to get their attention. Before long, Joyce caught the eye of Alvin Walkenhorst, and at the age of 17, the two were married and remained together for 70 years, only to be separated by Al’s passing in 2022. She married Al when he was home on leave from the Army and returned with him to California, where they lived for the next two years. After Al's military service was completed, they returned to Utah and bought a home in Salt Lake City, where they began their family. Al returned to his bakery as Joyce stayed home to raise their seven children.Joyce was a skilled craftswoman, spending most of her days cross-stitching, knitting, crocheting, and tole painting. As a young mother, she once knitted matching ski sweaters for herself, her husband, and her young children. She loved to cross-stitch and shared her talent with those around her. She’s known for creating hundreds of custom missionary maps, which are still treasured by many to this day. Years later, she cross-stitched 36 Disney sweatshirts for her whole family, grandkids included, to be featured in the Walkenhorst family photo. In her final years, she crocheted hundreds of washcloths and beanies and gifted them to anyone and everyone. Joyce enjoyed bowling and participated in both a female bowling league and a couple's league. Joyce was skilled in the kitchen and taught her kids how to make homemade butter flake rolls, delicious sugar cookies, and chocolate cream pies. At Christmas time, the smell of homemade fudge and penoche filled the air.Later in life, Joyce formed a close friendship with a group of ladies in the neighborhood, and every day, for nearly 50 years, they would go up the road to McDonalds for biscuits and diet coke. They became affectionately known as “The Biscuit Buggy,” and the remaining members continue the tradition to this day. Joyce was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings, including one of her favorites in the ward library. Joyce also served in both the Salt Lake and Jordan River temples. One of Joyce’s favorite places was up Lambs Canyon at the family cabin, which was completed in 1993. She loved to spend time there with her family and friends, enjoying the fresh air and spotting moose in the trees.

Joyce battled dementia during her final years and was carefully cared for by her children and the compassionate staff at Creekside Care Center, who went above and beyond for her and her family. In her final days, each of her seven children gathered to be with her, spending countless hours at her bedside. Joyce is loved and will be missed by her seven children: Debbie (Ron) Loock, George (DeLynn) Walkenhorst, Carol (Jim) Dahl, Laurie Walkenhorst, Richard (Stephanie) Walkenhorst, Susan Johnson, Kurt (Patti) Walkenhorst, and a posterity of more than 100, including grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandchild who was born shortly before her passing. She is also survived by her brother, Kenneth Lamph.

An evening viewing will be held for Joyce on July 9, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Memorial Murray Mortuary on 5850 South 900 East, Murray, Utah. Services will be held on July 10, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 9693 South 1700 East, Sandy, Utah, 84092. There will be a viewing prior from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

To join Joyce's service via zoom, please use the link below:

https://zoom.us/j/95721210218?pwd=OGjRFs2yaqMFibrLny0yO5avEAMXdh.1

Meeting ID: 957 2121 0218
Passcode: 861719