Joyce L. Boller, 93, of Highmore, passed away Friday, December 16, 2022 at Highmore Health after a short struggle with myeloid leukemia.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests all memorials be sent to Hyde County Parks and Recreational Pool Project, PO Box 143, Highmore, South Dakota 57345.

Joyce L. (Parlin) Boller was born September 29, 1929, in Huron, SD to Donald and Alma (Sanderson) Parlin.

Joyce grew up in Highmore, SD and spent much time with her Grandma Amelia Sanderson and her Uncle Hank Sanderson while her mother worked long hours at a local café and her dad worked on different farms and ranches around Highmore.  She attended school in Highmore except for one year during her sophomore year of high school. At that time, her family moved to Metaline Falls, WA, where her dad worked in a lead and zinc mine. She returned to Highmore and graduated from Highmore High School in 1947. A cheerleader in high school, Joyce remained an avid lifelong Pirates fan.

In 1953, Joyce married Dr. Gerald (Doc) Boller and over the next twelve years they were blessed with six children: Carrie (Craig) Hansen, Jon (Pam Stokes), Robin, Merrill, Bonnie, and Tracey (Jon) Morgan. Joyce was known for her quirky humor and direct manner and was always true to herself.  She changed the spelling of her middle name simply because she liked it better. Joyce loved board games, card games, jigsaw puzzles, and numbers; sudoku was a natural attraction, and pinochle was her passion. Whether it was checkers, chess, cribbage, hearts, spades, or bridge; it was always game on. She enjoyed putting together scrapbooks and photo albums and as an avid reader, she instilled in her children a love of books and reading, and always encouraged (tolerated?) their hours of practicing the clarinet, flute, baritone, and drums. It was not a quiet house. Her list-making and organizing skills were put to the test on the family camping trips to the Black Hills and Rocky Mountains as she stuffed an already packed car with enough food and drinks for six kids to last a week, relying on AAA maps for navigation. Since she grew up during the depression, she was always thrifty and an avid recycler before recycling was even popular.

Before she was married, Joyce worked at Barnes and Gray Abstract office in Highmore, SD. In the late 1970’s, she returned to work for A.N. and Blanche Kass at the abstract office and eventually obtained her abstractor’s license (as well as her masters in pinochle). She also worked part-time for Duane (the Rock) Johnson, Hyde County Register of Deeds, and enjoyed afternoon coffee with the Courthouse Gang. She was Doc’s bookkeeper for his dental practice for years.

Joyce was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and of the United Methodist Church. She also served as a Sunday school teacher, superintendent of Sunday school and church treasurer, as well as a member of the choir. She loved Bible studies at her church as well as at Highmore Health Nursing Home. Before her nursing home days, she usually started her day with a cup of coffee and a time of reading her Bible. Joyce had the honor of being crowned Queen of Old Settlers’ Day in 2014, along with husband, King Gerald. After moving into the nursing home, she represented Highmore Health as their Snow Queen in 2021.

Joyce was blessed with her children: Carrie (Craig) Hansen, Jon (Pam Stokes), Bonnie, and Tracey (Jon) Morgan; four grandchildren: Shelbie (Derrick) Hansen Unrein, Reid (Kelly) Hansen; Kyle (Amy) Hansen, and Conner Hulshof; nine great-grandchildren: Kai, Addalyn and Eli Unrein, Olen, Nora and Lydi Hansen, and Ruthie, Gustav, and Jack Hansen.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Verdun (Bud) Parlin; sister, Dorothy Mason; husband, Gerald; and daughters: Robin and Merrill.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Joyce’s arrangements.

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