Willa "Joyce" Gaskill Kruse passed away on Tuesday, November 29, 2016, at Custer Regional hospital after a lengthy 5 yr battle with cancer. Joyce was born on Feb. 28, 1945, at Newcastle, WY, to Paul and Frances (Austin) Gaskill. Joyce grew up on the family ranch 50 miles South of Newcastle on the Cheyenne River. She attended Grade School at 7-mile school and High School in Newcastle.Following graduation Joyce attended Chadron State College, Chadron, NE, for 1 year and then worked at the Chadron Radio Station for 1 year. She then transferred to Pillsbury Bible College, Owatonna, MN, where she received a B.S. Degree in Bible & Business. It was during this time; she met the Love of Her Life & married Daniel Kruse of Clara City, MN on Aug. 9, 1968. To this union were born Lynelle, Jolene, & Dalen. Joyce was blessed with 3 Granddaughters, Erica Hoskey, Jessica Hoskey, & Elena Kruse and 2 Grandsons, Connor Powell & Nathan Kruse.

She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Dan Kruse of Custer; son, Dalen (Jessica) Kruse of San Marcos, CA; daughters, Lynelle (Ron) Hoskey of Chelsea, IA; Jolene (Bob) Powell of Custer; sisters, Sue (Charles) Archibald of Buffalo, WY; Erma Owens of Wright, WY; Mary Jane Nettles of Thermopolis, WY; Patti (Nick) Allguer of Wright, WY, five grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Joyce received Jesus as her personal Savior at 7-mile Bible School and was very active in the church she attended, including teaching at Berean Christian School for 10 years. She enjoyed Women's Bible Studies, Ladies Luncheons, and Church Fellowships.

She worked at a MN Variety Store, The Pink Geranium, The Country Peddler and Dakota Territory Trading Post. Some of her hobbies included home decorating, sewing, crocheting, fishing for walleyes on the Missouri River, singing in church choirs, reading, finding bargains at garage sales and auctions and shopping trips with her daughters and granddaughters. She also enjoyed spending the winter months in Yuma, AZ.

Joyce dearly loved her family and friends and her loving heart and beautiful smile will be missed by all.

A visitation will be held 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Friday, December 2, 2016, at Chamberlain McColley's Funeral Home in Custer.

Committal services will be held 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 3, 2016, at the Custer Cemetery in Custer.

A celebration of life will be held 1:00 p.m., Saturday, December 3, 2016, at the Mt. View Baptist Church in Custer with Pastor Matt Furse officiating. The family would like extend an invitation for all to join them to stay for food and fellowship after the service in the Mt. View Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.

A memorial in Joyce's name has been established to benefit Hospice of the Hills in Custer.