Joyce Va Laire Metzger

Joyce Va Laire Metzger was born June 9, 1934. She was born in Parma, Idaho, to Howard George Dice and Edith Montana Cox Dice. She grew up in Parma and Boise, Idaho. Her mother died when Joyce was 5 years old.

After a long and courageous health battle, she passed away Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013, and went home to be with our Savior and her beloved sons. She spent her last days doing family genealogy in her own home. Genealogy had been a life-long love.

In 1950, she married Bruce Owen in Emmett, Idaho. After Bruce returned from his military service in Korea, they joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple in 1958. Shortly after joining the church. Joyce organized the Idaho Genealogical Association. She wrote genealogy newspaper columns for the Idaho Statesman and the Idaho Falls Post Register for over 20 years.

They had four children: David Owen, Terry Owen, Lisa Owen and Morgan Owen.

They moved to Riggins, Idaho, and enjoyed the simple life in a log home in the mountains. She learned to can vegetables and be self-sufficient. Family was the most important thing in her life. The family spent evenings fishing, hiking and camping.

She married William Metzger in 1977 and moved to Grand Coulee where she owned and operated the Unique Boutique Gift Shop, as well as a shop in Pullman. She was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Toastmasters speaking group but the highlight of her week was teaching the teenage Sunday School class.

Survivors include: a son Terrence (Terry) Owen and his wife Deanne, a daughter Lisa Hart and her husband Clifford. Grandchildren: David's children: Jeremy Bruce Owen, David Owen, Mandy Updike, Krystin Chaney, Joshua Owen. Terry's children: Daniel Kaupie, Candace Figueroa, TeriJayne Owen, Elizabeth Owen, and her granddaughter and caregiver Mary Owen. Lisa's children: Amy Dice, Carissa Hart and Morgan Hart. Joyce had 16 great-grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild, a sister Carol Beath, and her lifelong friend Bruce Owen.

Funeral services were held in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Grape Drive Chapel, 925 N. Grape Drive, Moses Lake, at 10 a.m., Saturday, November 23, 2013, with Bishop Dennis Stoker conducting.