Mrs. Joyce Louise (nee Bucholtz) McMurtrie, of the Yorkton & District Nursing Home, passed away on December 16, 2016 at the age of 86. She was born on October 31, 1930 in the Wallace district. She was the daughter of Gustav and Edith (nee Gurel) Bucholtz. In her youth, the family moved to a farm one half mile west of Ebenezer where she lived until moving to Yorkton to complete her education at the Yorkton Collegiate Institute. Joyce started her employment at the Yorkton Land Titles Office where she met William (Bill) McMurtrie. They were united in marriage on August 3, 1957. Due to government regulations, they were unable to continue working in the same office - she then transferred to work as a stenographer at the Yorkton Court House. Later, Joyce chose to stay at home for a few years, raising their four children. During those years she was busy sewing, knitting, baking, gardening and cooking for her family. In the mid-70's, she started working in the Health Records Department at the Yorkton Union Hospital where she remained until retiring in 1994. In her retirement years she continued to enjoy spending time and travelling with her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed gardening, knitting, cross stitching and visiting with friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Gustav and Edith (nee Gurel) Bucholtz; her husband, William McMurtrie; her two brothers-in-law, William Melnychuk and Frank Newman and two sisters-in-law, Mae McMurtrie and Jean Newman. She is survived by her son, Scott (Maureen) McMurtrie of Red Deer, AB; her three daughters, Jeanne (Kelly) Mandzuk of Regina, SK, Nancy (Kerry) Whitters of Yorkton, SK and Heather (Gordon) Gorecki of Esterhazy, SK; her five grandchildren, Trevor (Sarah) McMurtrie of Calgary, AB, Mallory (Justin) Lussier of Blackfalds, AB, Kristi Mandzuk of Regina, SK, Kevin (Courteney) Mandzuk of Regina, SK and Sean Gorecki of Esterhazy, SK; her two great-grandchildren, Emma and Tucker McMurtrie; her sister, Phyllis Melnychuk of Yorkton, SK; a niece and numerous nephews, other relatives and friends. Funeral Services were held on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 from the First Baptist Church in Yorkton, SK, with Pastor Steve Rosluk officiating. The organist, Karen DeLong, led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "In the Garden" and "Because He Lives". Soloist, Noreen Kriger, shared one selection, "The Lord is My Shepherd". The Interment Service followed in the Yorkton City Cemetery with Sean Gorecki, Kevin Mandzuk, Kristi Mandzuk, Trevor McMurtrie, Terry Melnychuk and Grant Melnychuk serving as the casket bearers. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting . Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
