Joyce Gaylord

Joyce Lorraine Ryker Gaylord passed away in the early morning at Sombrillo Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Los Alamos, NM on Friday, July 5, 2019. She was 91.

Joyce , the fifth daughter of Russell Allen Ryker and Gertie Lee Eddens, was born June 20, 1928 in Middletown, Missouri. She grew up in Wright City, Missouri. She married Donald Dale Clem in 1950. They moved with their children to Denver, Colorado in 1971. Joyce and Donald divorced in 1971. Joyce was employed for many years as a secretary at the University of Colorado Medical Center. In 1997, Joyce moved to Albuquerque, NM

She is survived by her son, Bradley Clem of Brighton, Colorado, and her daughter, Laurel Clem Frank of White Rock, New Mexico, nine grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her oldest son, Lance Carlton Clem, her parents, bothers Ralph Ryker, Russell Allen Ryker, sisters Myrtle Smith, Ruth Rogness, Esther Carlson, Emily Rufkahr, and Shirley Ryker.

Joyce loved to travel. She traveled to most of Europe, China, and Canada. She was an avid hiker, a dancer, and appreciated many forms of music. Joyce was a fiercely independent and self sufficient woman and will be greatly missed. Her long fight against Alzheimer's is over. A private memorial is planned for this summer.