Joyce Agusta Johnston Obituary (2025)

Our sweet and precious Mom has entered Heaven's Gate. Joyce A. Johnston, born January 2, 1934 passed on April 6, 2025 at Prosser Memorial Hospital from respiratory failure surrounded by her family. Joyce was born in Hereford, Texas to Walter H. Miller and Dora H. Zander- Miller. Times were difficult in Texas during her early years and due to illness the family lost two young brothers Berry and Drury. Joyce and her older brother Nolan with their parents made their way to Central Washington State in 1946 to find reliable work. Walter Miller was a carpenter and worked on several dams in the Pacific Northwest. Dora Miller was a homemaker and also worked in the canneries. They eventually settled in Yakima, where they spent the majority of their lives. Joyce attended local schools and became a Mom of three children, Linda, Randy, and Byron. She married the love of her life David E. Johnston and helped raise two step children Gary and Karen. Joyce worked at the Chinook Hotel in the pantry for many years. She was a wonderful cook, and we all spent many holiday dinners at Mom's table. She later retired from Shields Bag and Printing. Joyce and Dave spent their retirement years traveling and spending time at the beach, in the mountains, and parts of California in their motor home. Joyce enjoyed her trips to Maui and Germany, where she brought back cuckoo clocks for the family. She loved camping, fishing, tending to her yard and flowers, cooking, sewing, crocheting, and knitting making Afghans and quilts .She was also a formidable opponent when it came to a good game of dominoes! Joyce and Dave moved to Vancouver Washington for approximately 18 years before returning to Yakima in 2019. She was a tough woman and battled two cancers, brain surgery, and numerous back surgeries that brought her pain every day for many years. We were truly blessed to have this very special woman in our lives for so long. Even though our hearts are breaking, we know she isn't struggling and in pain anymore. Survivors include her husband of 58 years, David, E Johnston of Yakima, a daughter, Linda, and Mitch Day of Deer Meadows, Washington, sons, Randy and Sandy Ruegsegger of Selah, Washington, Byron Sears of Yakima, Karen Johnston of Vancouver, Washington, and Gary and Cindy Johnston of University Place Washington, three granddaughters, five great grandchildren, and one great, great grandson. We would like to thank the staff at Prosser Memorial Hospital for the compassionate care she received for the last 10 days of her life. We are extremely grateful. You will be truly missed Mom and know that you will be in our hearts and memories, forever and beyond. Her Celebration of Life is Sunday, May 18th, at 1:00pm at Yakima Sportsman's Park. Bless your heart, Mom, we love you. Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at: www.brooksidefuneral.com