Obituary - Joyce Joan Barger

On October 11, 2021, a bright flame on this earth transformed into a glowing ember and ascended to heaven as Joyce Joan Barger, 83, passed away peacefully at home.

Joyce was born in Havre, Montana, the only child of Joe and Ida (Haugen) Krejci. Around 1947, the family moved to a farm South of Lohman, where from a young age Joyce helped her parents by driving tractor and working cattle. She met the love of her life, Warren Barger, in Chinook, Montana, and the two were married in 1958. After a short period of living and working at various jobs away from the family farm the two returned there to work, eventually taking over its operation and making it their own home. Warren and Joyce were blessed with one son, Marty.

Joyce worked alongside Warren to make sure the seed got in the ground, the crop harvested, and that the cattle were fed, birthed, and shipped in addition to taking care of her duties as a housewife. She also operated Barger's Upholstery from the basement of their home at the farm for many years, recovering hundreds of pieces of furniture and automotive and tractor seats. Joyce loved people and animals, and under her watch neither man nor beast went hungry. In 1995, after many wonderful years together on the farm, Warren and Joyce sold the farm and moved to Havre to retire and help take care of her mother, Ida.

Joyce's favorite activity was being around her friends and church family. Nothing much happened at the Assembly of God Church without Joyce faithfully attending. Joyce was generous in spirit and in deed. She enjoyed making dolls, crocheting, and embroidering and sewing quilts. Joyce made incredible and intricate wedding, birthday, and special cakes for all types of occasions. She loved fashion, clothing, and heels, and one of her favorite activities was shopping.

Joyce's husband, Warren, and her parents, Joe and Ida Krejci, and numerous uncles and aunts preceded her in death.

She is survived by her son, Marty (Audrey) Barger of Havre; her grandsons, Spencer (Brandy) Barger of Montrose, Colorado, and Madison Barger of Lakewood, Washington, and numerous extended family members.

Memorial donations can be made to Havre Assembly of God Church.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 15, 2021, at 11:30 a.m. at Havre Assembly of God Church. The graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the Highland Cemetery. The service will be live streamed at https://www.facebook.com/wildernessfuneralhomes .

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Wilderness Funeral Homes.