Bernice "Joyce" Vernon

Bernice “Joyce” Vernon, age 87, of Montrose, CO passed away on Sunday, June 15, 2014 due to complications of dementia at Montrose Memorial Hospital.  Services will be at Montrose United Methodist Church on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. with Pastor Steve Reinhard officiating.  Cremation has taken place and interment will be at Grand View Cemetery. 

Joyce was born in Beach, ND on September 16, 1926 to Dart A. and Bernice Cheeseman Cox.  She graduated from Beach High School and attended Jamestown College in Jamestown, ND.

Joyce moved to Montrose in 1966, and on May 20, 1971, she married Donald Vernon in Las Vegas.  They enjoyed each other’s company for 43 years.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Charlotte and Virginia, her brother Charles, her sister-in-law Helen, and her niece Paula Wicka.

Survivors include her husband Don, daughter Renee (Jim) Lee of Montrose, and sons Brian Kurtz and Lynn Kurtz of Glenwood Springs and Colin Kurtz of Delta, and sister-in-law Tana (Emory) Morris of Montrose.

Joyce was extremely proud of her grandchildren Wendi Kurtz, Paul (Becky) Kurtz, Maya Kurtz, Heather Kurtz, Jeff (Amy) Lee, and Allison Lee.  She adored “the little ones,” great grandchildren Lila and Chloe Kurtz; Cade Kurtz; Miranda (Jake) Yates; Shelbi, Cole, Brooklyn and Brett Lee; and two great-great grandchildren.

Joyce is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and her beloved cousins with whom she and Don enjoyed biennial reunions throughout the U.S.   Joyce and Don were extremely close to family members Bill and Phyllis Jones of Montrose, neighbor Jeff Butterbaugh, and friend De Manary.

Joyce loved life and enjoyed golf, bowling, being outdoors, and hunting and fishing.  She was employed at Gambles and Conrads shoe store and was proud of her association with the Montrose Women’s Club.  A Memorial Service in celebration of Joyce’s life will be held on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at 6:00 P.M. at the United Methodist Church, 19 S. Park Avenue, Montrose, Co.  The service will conclude at the church.  Arrangements are by Crippin Funeral Home of Montrose.