Joyce Kristensen-Jonckowski

Joyce Kristensen-Jonckowski passed away in her home on November 24th with loving family at her side. She was born in Carlyle, Mt. on May 13, 1934 and was the 2nd of eight children born to Jim and Magdalene (Ming) O'Connor. She grew up and worked on the family farm until she graduated from Baker High School in 1952 and headed for the big city of Billings where she started her career as a phone operator for Mountain Bell. She then achieved the position of office manager/ supervisor for AT&T until she retired in 1989. She was married twice; her first was to Paul Kristensen in 1958 in a double wedding with her sister Lonna and Jim Corey. Together, Joyce and Paul raised three children, Rhonda, Kristi and Kurt. Paul passed away in 2003. In 2006, she married a lifelong friend Larry Jonckowski. Joyce was filled with love. She loved her Lord, she loved her family, she loved her church, she loved her friends, she loved all children and she loved her hobbies of bowling, golf, bridge, reading and Yahtzee. And she loved to laugh and have fun! Joyce was never one to turn down a game of dice or cards, games she usually won. Nor was she shy about saying that she was the only one who hit her golf ball in the fairway as others were off in the trees. She loved visits from family and was the ultimate hostess. Her love for the holidays was unmatched, especially Christmas Eve when the door was open to anyone looking for family, friends, food and great memories. It became a tradition that many looked forward to every year. Joyce was a caregiver for her family, including her first husband, Paul, and her second husband, Larry, as well as her parents and siblings. Her home was always open to anyone. She truly loved caring for her family and spending time with all the little ones who crossed her path through the years. She was preceded in death by her parents and her step-mother, Frances Efta O'Connor, her husband Paul Kristensen, her daughter Rhonda Taylor, her husband, Larry Jonckowski, brothers, Dick O'Connor, Gerald (Butch) O'Connor and sister, Lonna Corey. She is survived by her daughter, Kristi Kristensen, granddaughter, Sheleen and grandson Jade; son, Kurt (Kim) Kristensen, granddaughter, Amber (Andi & Tegan), grandson, Kaden; son-in-law, Jerry Taylor, sisters-in-law, Pat O'Connor and Shirley O'Connor (Virgil) Larsen, brother-in-law, Jim (Edith) Corey, brothers, Jack (Claudine) O'Connor, Nick (Herchel) O'Connor, and Danny (Lynette) O'Connor, and sister, Janice (Clancy) Iverson. Additional survivors are her step siblings: Ron, Joey and Denny Efta and families and Renee (Tom) Nelson and family; step sons, Dave (Diane) Jonckowski and family, Bob (Terri) Jonckowski and family, and step daughter, Jonnie Jonckowski, along with many nieces and nephews and cousins, whom she loved dearly. Joyce was given the best of care by the RiverStone hospice nursing staff and especially her aide, Amber, whom she looked forward to seeing every week day. Her family is very grateful for your loving care. Vigil service will be at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 29th at Dahl Funeral Chapel and Memorial Mass at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, November 30th at St. Pius X church at 18th St. W. and Broadwater. Interment will be at a later date in Baker, Mt. Memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Pius X church, RiverStone Hospice or the charity of your choice. We will all miss our beautiful Joyce with her amazing smile and kind heart.