Joyce E. Hartley, 87, passed away at home on Friday, January 24, 2025. Born and raised on the family farm, Joyce attended a 1 room schoolhouse until the 9th grade.  At the age of 15, she married her first husband, 3 years later her daughter Linda was born.  Joyce worked hard on the farm; milking cows, breaking horses and pitching hay.  They moved to Montana in the early 1960s.

In the fall of 1964 is when Joyce had her ruptured aneurysm in her brain.  After having surgery, Joyce had to learn to walk, talk, read, and write all over again. She taught herself to yodel, and Wow, could she yodel!

Joyce married her 2nd husband, Harold "Badger" Hartley in 1968 and their daughter Christine was born a year later.  They moved around a bit before ending up in Butte, MT in the early 1970s.  This is where Joyce lived out her life, making many life-long friendships.  She never worked outside the home, but was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.

Joyce loved her family and "extended family" with all her heart.  She loved all animals, but horses and kitties were her favorites.  Trouble, the tuxedo kitty she always wanted and a loyal companion for almost 19 years, was by her side when she left this world.

Joyce was a faithful, God loving woman who said her prayers every night, she taught her daughters to love God also.  She also enjoyed a good laugh and had many jokes to tell.  Some could be considered "dirty" but they never had a bad word in them!

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Alice, Brothers Allen and Garry Buskeness, sisters Donna Johnson and Dolores Dunn, daughter Linda (Larson) Dahlman, both husbands, and long-time companion Phillip "Buzz" Wilkinson.

Joyce is survived by Aunt Loretta Larsen of Billings, brother Gordon Buskeness of Medina, ND, daughter Christine (Hartley) Fister of Butte, grandsons Luke Bracco, Karson Dahlman, and Andrew Phillips of Butte, 3 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to Kelley Williams, and to Karli and Enhabit Hospice for all their help and support.

Services will be held on Monday, February 03, 2025, 1:00 PM at Duggan Dolan Mortuary with interment at Mount Moriah Cemetery.