Joyce Eleanor Fobes

Joyce Eleanor Swanson Fobes, age 88 died August 26, 2015 in Loma Linda, CA. Born September 29, 1926 at St. Lukes Hospital in St. Paul Minnesota, she was the daughter of Carl Emil Swanson, and Leone E Wormley Swanson, of Watertown, SD. Shortly after her birth the family returned to Watertown where Joyce spent her childhood and youth, graduating from the local high school in the class of 1944, and later attending Cable's Secretarial College of St. Paul, MN. She was employed at the State Offices Building and also the Minnesota Conference office of Seventh-day Adventists in St. Paul, MN. Later she returned to Watertown, where she worked in the accounting offices of Bartron Hospital and clinic. In 1954 she married Hoyt R. Fobes of Glidden, Iowa. They lived in Minnesota until 1971 at which time they moved to Siloam Springs, Arkansas, where eventually they retired. Thereafter, Joyce held secretarial and book keeping jobs for several employers, but was also head of and volunteered at the auxiliary department of the hospitals in which her husband worked. She also volunteered at and assisted in the creation of the offices at the St. Francis Clinic in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. At various times throughout her life, Joyce was recognized for her volunteer and civic work. Joyce was an accomplished pianist and organist, often leading music in Adventist churches where she attended. She was a talented craft maker, creating dolls and their clothes, elves, Christmas decorations, needlework, quilts, and a host of other items, many of which were sold and the proceeds given to the hospital auxiliary or other charities. She was a wonderful cook and gracious hostess. Many who knew Joyce and Hoyt will fondly remember the times around the Fobes dinner table, the holiday spreads, and the goodies lovingly created in her kitchen. Hoyt and Joyce raised one daughter, Lori Jean Miller and had 3 grandchildren and one great grandchild. She is survived by her daughter Dr. Lori Jean Miller, brother Robert "Pete" Swanson and wife MaryAnn, sister Dorothy Schwab and husband David; three grandchildren, Serena Miller, Ian Miller, and Asa Miller and one great grandchild Johlael; nieces Susan Swanson Warne, Joni Swanson Pickrel, Jill Swanson Kahnke and Rebecca Schwab Sutton and nephews Peter, Paul, and Scott Swanson, and Brian Schwab; dear friend Linda Sanders Smith and Heidi Rose Fobes Smith. She was preceded in death by her husband Hoyt, her parents Carl and Leone Swanson and one elder brother Donald. Joyce requested that memorial funds go to Shriners Hospitals for Children specializing in burn care. You can donate to the memorial on line at http://support.shrinershospitals.or/goto/JEFMemorial. Checks should be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children with the note Joyce E. Fobes Memorial. They will be deposited into the memorial fund. Service Information 12:00 pm Sunday, September 27, 2015 Riverside Cemetery, Madelia East, Co. Hwy 3, Flanders Ave. Madelia, Minnesota, United States 56062 Reception A gathering will take place at the Church of Christ in Madelia immediately following interment.