Joyce Logsdon was born to Emil and Elfreda Swanson at the old Emanuel Hospital, the only one of her family born in California. Her five older siblings were born in Nebraska. The Swansons were a musical and artistic family. Her father had such beautiful penmanship that he inscribed bibles for his church, which always made her proud. She attended Turlock elementary schools and graduated from Turlock High School.
Mutual friends arranged for a double date with Harold Logsdon and they married in 1948. They were married for 54 years and raised three children, Michael, Brenda and Mitch. Joyce enjoyed being a homemaker and worked part-time as a floral arranger for her cousin at Dean Floral.
The Logsdons were longtime members of Turlock Covenant Church where Joyce loved to sing in the choir. She was also involved in Women’s Ministries, often heading up decorating committees for events where she could put her artistic talent to good use. She was a creative cook, taking several cooking classes and enjoying testing out new recipes on her very willing family. She enjoyed having family and friends over for meals, and she had the most creative and beautifully set tables.
Gardening was another passion and many a time we could find her outside well past dark planting or weeding. She was an avid traveler and seemed to always be in the stages of planning the next trip. Destinations included Great Britain, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, Russia, South Africa and Hawaii. Cathedrals and churches, art museums, concerts, and sampling local cuisines were always on her “to do” lists for each destination.
Mom rarely complained or spoke a negative word about anyone. She will always be remembered for her kindness, fun sense of humor, and positive spirit.
She was predeceased by her husband, Harold, and son, Michael, as well as siblings Carl Matthews, Eleanor Mathison, Doris Rees, Virginia Swanson and Don Swanson. She is survived by her daughter, Brenda (Bob) Schmidt, and her son, Mitch (Terisa) Logsdon; grandchildren Dustin (Kelly) Logsdon, Karly (Dallas) Plaa, Megan (Joey) Silveira, Kevin Schmidt, and great-grandchildren Sidney, Bridget and Pierce Logsdon, Sienna and Ryder Plaa, and McKinley Silveira.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Covenant Village Sequoia and Care Center, and Covenant Care Hospice, for their compassionate and loving care of Mom as well as to her family.
Memorials may be made to Turlock Covenant Church, 316 S. Laurel St., Turlock, CA 95380 or Covenant Village Benevolent Fund, 2125 N. Olive Ave., Turlock, CA 95382.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Fri., Apr. 27 at Turlock Funeral Home, 425 N. Soderquist Rd., Turlock. A graveside service will be conducted at 9 a.m. on Sat., Apr. 28 at Turlock Memorial Park, followed by a Celebration of Life at 10 a.m. at Turlock Funeral Home.
