Joyce Bland was born in 1924, in Vivian, SD. She was the 9th of 12 children born to Myron and Grace Burleson. The family moved to Hill City, SD, when Joyce was 6 years old. She started school in Hill City then attended Argyle Country School after the family moved south of Pringle. Joyce graduated from Custer High School in 1944.

Joyce had four children from a previous marriage when she married George Bland, together they had six more children. George was a self employed hard rock miner. As was the custom of the times, Joyce was a stay-at-home housewife, however that didn't mean she didn't contribute to the support of her family. Joyce had a large garden and canned its produce. She raised chickens, cows and goats. These produced milk, eggs, cheese and meat. She baked homemade bread 10 to 12 loaves at a time. She washed clothes with a wringer washer, with all those cloth diapers from all those babies. She whistled while she worked, so you could always tell where Mama was by stepping outside and listening for her whistle.

Joyce was a musical person. She was a self taught harmonica player. She encouraged singing and raised children and grandchildren who sing beautifully. She was the center, the core of her family. She will be sorely missed.

Joyce is survived by one sister, Lila Lytle of Custer and one brother, Wayne (Anna) Burleson of
Rochford, SD; ten children and their families, Carol (Bert) Swartz of Custer; Harvey (Fran) Bland of Elko, NV; Jim (Karen) Bland of Custer; Alvin (Jackie) Bland of Custer; Georgia (Perry) Holmes of Hot Springs; Kathy (Roger) French of Custer; Mary Orth of Rapid City, SD; Joy (Harold) Parry of Custer; David (Sammie) Bland of Custer; Lila Streff of Custer; thirty seven grandchildren; thirty nine great grandchildren; two great great-grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren and their families; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband George, her parents, two grandchildren and nine siblings.

Wake services will be at 7:00 p.m., Monday, June 20, 2011, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Custer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 21, 2011, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Father Peter Kovarik officiating. Interment will follow at the Pringle Cemetery near Pringle, SD.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Custer. Written condolences can be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.