Joyce passed away on April 12, 2018, at home in St. George, Utah. She was born on July 18, 1928 to Jan and Alberdina Hogerman Vandenhazel in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Joyce was the oldest of six children. Her family survived the Nazi occupation of Holland during World War II. After the war she was called to be a missionary to her native country at 17, and set apart at 18. She is still the youngest missionary ever called out of Holland.
Joyce always loved music. She started playing the organ at age 8, even though her legs were so short her brother Al sat under the organ to pump the pedals for her. After her mission she immigrated to the U.S., with Al, in 1949 at age 21. She met and married Garry in 1950. They had five children and traveled extensively with Garry's job assignments for Boeing, enjoying many family adventures while living in Utah, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Washington. Garry and Joyce retired in St. George in 2001. They were married 68 years.
Survived by husband Garry; daughters Bonnie and Shauna; son Perry; 15 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; brothers Al and Ben; and sister Betty. Preceded in death by daughter Deborah; infant son Garry; parents Jan and Alberdina Vandenhazel; brother Jan; and sister Alberdina (Dienie).
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2018, beginning 12:00 PM at the Northbridge Ward Chapel, 1080 West Arlington Street, Washington, Utah. A viewing will be held at the ward one hour prior beginning at 11 AM. Interment will take place Monday, April 23, 2018, at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery in Sandy, UT at 2:30 PM.
