Joyce Nadine Stryker, age 85, of Waterville, passed away Friday, December 12, 2025, at Blue Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center.
She was born on November 13, 1940, in Waterville, the daughter of Adolph and Mabelle (Kalous) Smith. Joyce began her education in a one-room schoolhouse, an experience that helped shape her strong work ethic, independence, and lifelong appreciation for community. She graduated from Waterville High School in 1958.
On September 13, 1959, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Waterville, she married Billy Joe Stryker. He preceded her in death in 2006.
Joyce resided most of her life in the house she was born in, first as a much-loved daughter and big sister, and then with Joe, the love of her life. Together, they raised their two children there and continued to call it home long after their children were grown.
Joe and Joyce didn’t just raise kids, they created a family with roots so deep and love so strong that the impact will be felt for generations.
Joyce had a wonderful group of friends throughout her life. In her younger years, she loved dancing often with Joe and their friends and spending evenings playing cards and enjoying each other’s company. Those friendships remained important to her, and in her senior years she continued her sense of adventure by traveling with friends to nearby towns, always eager to try new restaurants and share a good meal and laughter.
Joyce will be remembered as the grandma who attended every event her grandkids had and showed up with love and pride, someone you could always count on. Her family was her greatest joy.
Dedicated. Dependable. Present. Caring. Attentive. All these qualities that embodied Joyce extended far beyond her role as a loving wife, mom, and grandma. In business, in the community, and in her church, she showed up with the same dedication, hard work, and genuine care for others.
Joyce was a businesswoman, serving as Vice President and insurance agent at Citizens State Bank for over 50 years, an accomplishment that was almost unheard of when she began her career. She was a proud and active member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and its service groups, and a true leader in the community. Joyce belonged to the Waterville Lions Club, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, BPW, CMH Foundation Board, Red Hat Society, and Ladies Auxiliary, WW2 Coffee group and was a past president of the Chamber of Commerce.
Joyce’s desire to serve, her faithfulness, her caring heart, and her dedication were evident in the many roles she fulfilled throughout her life. Whether as a wife, mom, grandma, bank vice president, church servant, organizer of town celebrations, or the driving force behind countless community events, she handled it all with grace, love, and unwavering commitment.
Never one to say “no,” Joyce volunteered for many organizations, including the Weaver Hotel, Waterville Opera House Renovation Committee, and Meals on Wheels. Joyce and Joe also shared a love of travel, camping, and participating in parades with their wagon and horses, including the Lawrence Christmas Parade, American Royal, and Cheyenne Frontier Days.
She is survived by one son, Don Stryker and wife Dana of Waterville; one daughter, Buffy Oatney and husband John of Waterville; seven grandchildren, Ashley Carnes (Gary), Adrian Stryker (Cassandra), Garrett Stryker (Allison), Johnathan Oatney (Abby), Morgan Porter (Mike), Jared Oatney (Sydney), and Donald E. Stryker; and eight great-grandchildren, Eli, Kolt, Brixton, Beckham, Ellis, Ashton, Everett, and Oliver.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Garry Smith; her grandson, Zack Oatney; and her great-grandson, Owen Porter.
Visitation will be from noon until 8:00 p.m. Thursday, December 18, 2025, at the Christie-Anderes Funeral Home in Waterville, where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 19, 2025, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Waterville. Music will be furnished by vocalist, Cassandra Stryker and organist, Beverly Hedke. Pallbearers will be Adrian Stryker, Garrett Stryker, Johnathan Oatney, Jared Oatney, Gary Carnes, and Mike Porter. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St. Croix Hospice and left in care of the Christie-Anderes Funeral Home, PO Box 61, Waterville, Kansas 66548.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.apfunerals.com.
