Joyce Ellen (Ostrum) Stimpson, 83 of Rapelje went to be with the Lord on February 11,2020.

Joyce was born April 4th, 1936 to Carl & Firmus Ostrum in her grandmother’s home in Roscoe, MT. She attended grade school in Roscoe then went to High School in Absarokee where she graduated in 1954. On July 15th, 1955 she married the love of her life A.B. (Buzz) Stimpson at the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Absarokee. Buzz & Joyce dreamed of owning their own ranch and raising a family, that’s exactly what they did. They had four children, 6 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. They started their married life together at the Anderson-Logan Ranch owned by Joyce’s father located between Roscoe & Fishtail. In 1957 they leased the Tuttle Place near Absarokee. Then in 1962, they went to work on the Weppler Ranch between Rapelje and Ryegate. In 1965 Buzz answered an ad in the paper and from that point on the Hines Ranch became their home for 48 years.

Joyce loved the ranch and was very grateful for the opportunity to work and raise the family on it. Buzz and Joyce purchased the bordering Linder place in 1979, now named Stimpson Inc, 12 miles west of Rapelje. Together Buzz and Joyce conquered a world starting with nothing and building an empire that even their great grandkids love and enjoy. Family was very important to

Joyce; she was the Matriarch always worrying about her family. She never raised her voice, but she was honest and upfront, her soft touch cured many aches, pains and hurts. The care she showed to others and her hard work started at an early age. She had her first job outside the home in 7th grade when she was a nanny for Pete and Virginia McKay of Roscoe. She continued to work there until graduating. Joyce was a Master Chef, no one ever left her table hungry or disappointed, she loved sharing her recipes along with helpful hints. Joyce had an amazing green thumb; house plants, outdoor flowers, vegetable gardens it didn’t matter they all flourished under her care. Joyce was task driven, she did whatever it took to care and provide for her family. Canning, raising chickens, helping gather cattle, providing meals, keeping the records, driving feed truck, supporting kids and grandkids in 4-H projects, never missing a county fair, traveling many miles to support family activities and birthdays were all just part of who Joyce was. She was a strong willed, kind-hearted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother for which we will miss but feel very blessed and proud to call ours.

Survivors include her husband of 64 years A.B (Buzz) Stimpson of Rapelje; Son Clint Stimpson (Julia) of Rapelje; Daughters Val (Steve) Wadhams of Mitchell, NE and Wendy (Don) Ray of Park City; Sister Karleen (Vaughn) Hague of Billings; Grandchildren Chasity (Larry) Broadbrooks, Lacey Hauge-Stimpson, Abby (Trent) Humphrey, Aaron Wadhams, Mariah Ray and Tehya Ray; Great-Grandchildren Eli & Westin Broadbrooks, Haydn & Harlo Hauge, Taylin & Trinlee Humphrey and several nieces and nephews.

She was proceeded in death by her parents Carl and Firmus Ostrum, her beloved son Kurt, her brothers Donny and Raymond Ostrum.

Funeral services for Joyce will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, February 17, 2020 at the Smith Columbus Chapel, 35 Diamond Street. Private interment will take place in Rapelje. Condolences for the family may be shared at www.smithfuneralchapels.com.