Joyce LaVerne (Duffin) Kress

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Joyce Kress died peacefully at the age of 93 of respiratory failure secondary to COVID on the evening of January 5, 2023 in the home of her daughter. She was surrounded by her loving family. She was born March 24, 1929 in Aberdeen, Idaho to James Albert Duffin and Thelma Hazel Burton. Joyce was the oldest of four children, including two younger sisters, Carol Poulson and Joan Line, and a brother, Jerry Duffin. She attended elementary and High School in Aberdeen, Idaho and then completed one semester at Idaho State University. Joyce married her sweetheart, Lloyd Henry Kress, in 1949 in the Lutheran Church in American Falls, Idaho.  She was active in the Lutheran Women’s organizations serving as Vice President, secretary, and Sunday teacher. She also served as Secretary in St. Albans, West Virginia in the Church Women’s United.  A long awaited goal for her was to be able to enter the Temple to make her sacred covenants and receive her own endowment. In 1996 that goal was realized when she attended the Temple in Oakland.  Joyce considered it a special blessing when she was able to serve in the Provo and Mount Timpanogos Temples as an Ordinance worker.

Later in life she attended Chicago’s Wilton Cake Decorating where she received her diploma for “Master Cake Decorator”.  While living in West Virginia and Indiana she opened a cake decorating business and taught classes in a community center. Her special interests included Licensed Day Care Mother and bridge club member in California, Girl Scout Leader for five years in West Virginia, Book Club in Pleasant Grove, and long time member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers. One of the joys of her life was working at the Beehive Bookstore in California where she made many lifelong friends and attended many book seller conventions. She worked there as assistant manager doing scheduling and the monthly newsletter.  She was also a buyer for the bookstore’s Genealogy Department, scripture totes,  and all pictures.  Joyce prepared Sunday bulletins, was overseer for the display tables, and did the publicity. She said she really enjoyed her work and was there over 5 ½ years.

Places of residence were Pocatello, Idaho; San Jose, California; Santa Clara, California; South Charleston, West Virginia; St. Albans, West Virginia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Lake Oswego, Oregon; San Jose, California; and the Provo, Pleasant Grove, and Orem areas, Utah (1996-2023). The last four years she lived at Covington Senior Living Center in Orem, Utah where she served as Resident Counsel President for a year.  She loved her independence and all the activities provided there especially Bingo, walking, scripture reading, movies, and exercise class. She has had many friends and stayed in contact with them faithfully sending yearly greetings to all her friends. She loved serving others and was always looking for something she could do to help others.

Joyce is survived by her sister, Joan, her son, Richard Kress, her two daughters, Nancy (Bruce) Dastrup, and Linda (George) Monninger, 8 grandchildren, and 20 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her dear husband, parents, brother, and sister. What a wonderful reunion they must be having at this time.

A viewing will be held Thursday, January 12, 2023 from 9:00 – 10:45 am in the Grove Creek 7th Ward Chapel,  942 North 500 East, Pleasant Grove. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am.  Interment will be in the Falls View Cemetery in American Falls, Idaho on Friday, January 13, 2023 at 12 noon. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com.

The family would like to express sincere thanks for the compassionate and tender care of Dr. Von Welch over the years including a very special personal visit to Joyce the night before her death. A special thank you to her friends in Grove Creek First Ward, her book club sisters, her loving friends at Covington Care Center in Orem, and to Jessica RN at IHC Hospice Care. Words cannot express the appreciation to Grove Creek 7th Ward and all the kindness, service, and expressions of love they have given our family. Thank you. 

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