Obituary of Joyce Anne Kiers

Joyce Anne Kiers, 77, of Tumwater, passed away on July 30, 2014 at St. Peter Hospital, in Olympia, Washington. Joyce was born on May 9, 1937 in Modesto, California to John and Bertha (Hekman) Rylaarsdam, the second of seven children. She graduated from Ripon Christian High School and Calvin College. She married Sjoerd in 1960. After living in St. Louis and New Jersey, they settled in Tumwater in 1969. She was a charter member of Olympia Christian Reformed Church (OCRC), and was also a member of Westwood Baptist Church for many years. After her children left home, she worked for Thurston County Elections. She found great joy spending time with family, working in her garden, and quilting. Joyce was a loving mother to three children: Steven, Melissa Wood (Craig), and Roger (Denise). She is also survived by her husband, Sjoerd; three sisters; two brothers; and grandchildren, Lindsay (Josh), Jessica (Charlie), Brenna (Dan), Taylor, Nathan, Alan, Kylan, Allen, Hannah, and Phillip. She was predeceased by her parents and older brother. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Baptist Haiti Mission or the OCRC Kitchen Fund. Please leave memories of Joyce or condolences for her family in the Guestbook below.