Joyce Aileen Zwirn

Joyce Aileen Zwirn of Otis, Colorado was born to William Alfred and Marjorie Aileen (Adams) Fryrear on October 23, 1935 in Haxtun, Colorado.  She was the third of four children: Gloria Jean, Donna May, Joyce Aileen and Donald William.  She passed away on January 29, 2022 at the Harmony Home in Yuma, Colorado.  

Joyce grew up on the family farm south of Paoli, Colorado milking cows, gathering eggs, feeding all livestock and farming. She showed Hereford, Angus and Shorthorn cattle with her siblings.  They showed at the County Fair, Fort Worth, National Western Stock Show and Colorado State Fair.  They slept in the back of the truck at the State Fair.  Joyce and her sister, Jean, went to many livestock shows together. 

Her early school years were in a one room school house in the Wages area where they drove a horse and buggy until the redistricting took place and they started going to school in a school bus.  In the 7th and 8th grade she attended the Highland Center School.  She went to Haxtun High School all four years and graduated with the class of 1953, NJC graduate in 1955, attended teacher’s college, now known as University of North Colorado  in Greeley, Colorado graduating in 1957.  While in college she worked as a car hop at A & W.  While Joyce was doing her student teaching in Yuma she also worked at the Department Store. 

Joyce married Donald Eugene on May 29, 1961 in Raton, New Mexico.  To this union two sons were born, Russell and Richard. 

Joyce began her teaching career in the Haxtun schools – while teaching in Haxtun she won an award which was a trip to New York.  She then went to Lone Star to teach for the remainder of her career from approximately 1963 - 1985. At one time, she actually taught three grades in one classroom.  Joyce’s teaching career spanned over twenty-five years. 

Joyce also helped Don on the farm with all the farming, raising cattle and even helped when Don got into the sheep business along with raising the boys.  She always supported Richard and Russell in school, sports and their livestock showing.  Joyce and Don’s support filtered down to the grandchildren where they watched about every livestock show and every basketball game and other sport activities the grandkids ever participated in. 

Joyce was a huge Denver Nuggets fan and watched every game she could find on TV.  She always welcomed people into her home for a sweet treat and a glass of iced tea.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, William and Marjorie Fryrear, father and mother-in-law, Walter and Anna Zwirn; sister, Donna Oliver; brothers-in-law, Chuck Toyne, Billy Oliver and Keith Zwirn. 

Joyce is survived by her husband of sixty years, Don; sons, Russell Dean (debbie) Zwirn & Richard (Angie) Zwirn of Yuma; grandsons, Levi (Morgan) Zwirn and Brody Zwirn and granddaughter, Tylyn Zwirn; sister, Gloria Jean Toyne; Brother, Bill (Sherry) Fryrear

along with other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. 

The Funeral Service – Saturday – February 5, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at the Community of Christ Church in Yuma, Colorado with Mike and Sue Mueller officiating.  Interment followed at the Yuma Cemetery.  Baucke Funeral Home directed the service. 

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