Joyce LaDeane Newland Siers, 89

Joyce LaDeane Newland Siers was born Jan. 15, 1934, on the family wheat farm in Burleigh County near Driscoll, North Dakota. She passed away on March 1, 2023, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls with her loving daughter, Sheila at her side.

Joyce was the youngest of four and the only daughter of Ole and Emma Newland. At 9 months she contracted paralytic polio which left her with life-long motility challenges, yet she possessed an indomitable spirit complete with a large slice of “I can do it” attitude. This fierce determination served her well in life. She conquered the art of knitting, bowling, sewing, embroidery, card-game playing and many other pursuits.

Joyce graduated high school in Steele, North Dakota, in 1951. At age 19, she caught the eye of handsome World War II veteran Don Siers, they were married Dec. 15, 1952, in Oylen, Minnesota.

They have four daughters, Beverly Siers of Sumner, Washington; Mary Rackham(Bill) of Filer, Idaho; Sheila Quimby (Bucky) and Janet Schwegel (Greg) of Olney. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, one grandson and her husband of 61 years.

Finding themselves empty nesters, they moved to the small community of Dixon where they lived for 35 years. They played a very active part in the senior center. Joyce was the treasurer for many many years. Her contributions to the success of the Dixon Mellon Days were immeasurable.

When Don’s health began to fail, they made the decision to move into the Montana Veterans Home in late 2013 and Don passed in January 2014. Joyce continued to live there for nine more years where her enthusiastic presence was welcomed, and she enjoyed many of MVH’s events. She loved to play games and took bingo very seriously. She was a frequent winner.

Joyce will always be remembered for her Pinochle shark-like abilities and her joyful spirit. She is buried at the Montana Veterans Cemetery beside her husband. The family has decided to have a full celebration of life at a later date. Columbia Mortuary is taking care of the arrangements for the family.