Joyce Arlene Wycoff (Matthiesen)

Joyce Arlene (Matthiesen) Wycoff was called to her heavenly home on January 31, 2023, surrounded by family in Windsor, California. Joyce was born to Richard and Helen Matthiessen on January 28, 1928, in the small rural community of Goodland, Minnesota, along with her sister Shirley and brother Buddy. After completing high school at 16, Joyce attended Bemidji State Teacher’s College, spending one year teaching in a small logging town, before moving to Grand Rapids to teach. In 1949, Joyce decided to cut a “dramatic new path.” Joyce often remarked to her father, “there must be a better place to live” than Minnesota. Joyce said, “goodbye cold and snow. . . hello to a new adventure” and headed to California. After working several odd jobs, including shoe sales and hand painting false teeth, something the artist in Joyce enjoyed very much, Joyce ventured back east to Colorado to attend college in Greeley to earn her four-year teaching degree required to teach in California. Afterwards she began teaching in Lamar, Colorado. Three years in, a friend and co-worker convinced her to cash in her retirement and embark on a month’s long trip to Europe as chaperone for an all-boys Catholic school. Joyce returned stateside unable to teach in Colorado for a predetermined period and ventured back west to Los Angeles to teach third grade in Compton, California. She later recounted that it was the best school district in which she had ever taught. Joyce also took flying lessons from Compton Airport and was just shy of getting her pilot’s license. In the late 1950s, Joyce moved into a new apartment building and spotted a handsome man in the pool. She quickly grabbed her bathing suit and soon found herself in the pool with her future husband Miles. Miles and Joyce married in June 1958, and soon welcomed sons John, Tom, and Jim. In 1968, following the lead of Miles’ brothers, they made the move north to Sonoma County. Joyce recalled instantly falling in love with the idyllic rolling green hills dotted with oak trees and cows, finding them to be exactly like those she had painted along the walls of her classrooms back in Los Angeles. Joyce had found her “home” and paradise here on earth. In 1970, Joyce and Miles built their own home on Willowside Road with Joyce shingling the roof while pregnant with Kathryn. Joyce taught kindergarten at Sheppard School in the Roseland District. A friend and coworker recently recounted, “she was a superb teacher and with her gentle ways won all the children over to create a positive learning environment.” She also taught Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, and started a Good News club for the neighborhood kids. After retiring from teaching, Joyce started a day care and helped raise many children in and around Santa Rosa. Always up for an adventure, Joyce loved traveling, discovering most of the United States by travel trailer with her family and exploring many continents with her husband Miles, including living in Europe for a year with her husband and daughter. She loved cruising and made dozens of trips to countless destinations throughout the world. Joyce loved spending time with family and friends, and her family remembers the many beautiful gatherings and vacations. She loved playing games and laughing with friends. She was a true “card shark” and competitive even late in life, often saying, “I’m not sure I remember how to play this game” and then winning. Most of all, Joyce loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She attended St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Santa Rosa and was one of the founding members of St. Luke’s charter church Vineyard of Faith Lutheran in Windsor and attended Good Shepherd Lutheran in Healdsburg for a brief time. It is in these places of worship where Joyce made life-long friends. Joyce was truly resilient, over her lifetime she survived Scarlet Fever, Polio, and Covid-19. She had an amazing spirit. She will always be remembered as a wonderful mother, loving friend, and teacher of many. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband Miles, her eldest son John, her parents Richard and Helen, sister Shirley Harper and brother Buddy. Joyce is survived by her beloved children, Thomas, James, and Kathryn (James) Marko and daughter-in-law Megan. Joyce is also survived by her five grandchildren that she loved and adored: Emily, Joshua, Nicolas, Miles, and Rachel. Memorial Service for Joyce will be held at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 905 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa on Saturday, March 4, 2023, beginning at 11 am with a reception and light luncheon to follow at the church.

Joyce Arlene Wycoff (Matthiesen)

January 28, 1928 - January 31, 2023