Joyce Elaine (Roland) Stucker

Born December 8, 1939, to Howard and Jean Roland in Sublette, Kansas and then moved to Colorado in 1946. She grew up in Grand Junction, graduating in 1958 from Grand Junction High School. She married Joseph Hicks in 1957 and they had Joseph Hicks Jr., Jean Bennett and Julie Hicks during that marriage. In 1985 she and a schoolmate, Rex Stucker, met at the mall and began a conversation that led to marriage in 1989 and lasted to her passing on October 20, 2026, at Hope West Hospice.

She was a dedicated worker and started her career at the notorious Goofy Gal Drive-In at age 15.

For years after that she participated with her parents in the family auction business and was so proud when her son, Joe Jr., became an auctioneer as well. She worked in many fields including insurance, real estate, dental and medical and lovingly volunteering with Hospice in Boise, Id and Portland OR/Vancouver, WA bringing comfort and joy to those she served. In this effort she also used her great humor to bring laughter during times of sorrow and stress.

Joyce and Rex, her loving husband of 38 years, always enjoyed the adventure of exploring, sight-seeing, playing marbles and other games with countless friends. Her passions included the joy of seeing her gardening handiwork bring the stony ground of their Grand Mesa dream home to life for them and all who visited. Her enjoyment of the Guinea birds, turkeys, Bantams, Pea fowl and most of all her special chickens of which she made house pets wearing diapers. The chickens also went on trips with them and amazed onlookers as she fed and watered them at every stop. She even had one named “Hey You” that would tell them when a hygienic indiscretion was about to occur.

Joyce was touched by God during a para-church weekend in 1998. She and Rex both dedicated their lives to His service. They worked in Tres Dias for many years, helping start a new Tres Dias group in western Colorado. They happily opened their hearts and home to many who came to assist in the foundation of this chapter.

In 2009 they completed a “bucket list” trip to the Middle East visiting sites in Greece, Turkey, Israel and Jordan. Making this trip more meaningful was her sister, Phyllis and cousin, B. J., accompanying them. What they experienced enhanced their knowledge of the history of the Bible and their faith.

Joyce was known for her practical jokes, pranks and play on words, often leaving her husband embarrassed and red faced, never knowing what to expect. Everyone was greeted with a smile and a twinkle in her eye. She was an eternal optimist and always supportive and caring of those who came to her for her love and support. She was strong in her faith, character, and devotion to her husband. Joyce enjoyed life and brought that strength to others as they struggled with the obstacles of life.

She is survived by her husband Rex, three children, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren, and sisters, Phyllis Roland and Judy Hash.

Her service will be at Surface Creek Community Church, 21987 Austin Road in Austin, Colorado at 10:30 on October 31.