Joyce M. Hargens Yosten, 85, of Grand Island, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in her home in Grand Island.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at St. Leo's Catholic Church in Grand Island. Revs. Don Buhrman and Mark Maresh will concelebrate the Mass, assisted by Deacons Bill Buchta and Joe Yosten. Burial will follow in Cameron Cemetery, north of Wood River. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Curran Funeral Chapel, with a 7 p.m. recitation of the rosary. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Grand Island Central Catholic. You are encouraged to sign Joyce's guestbook at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under her obituary. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.

Joyce was born on August 4, 1939, on the family farm southwest of Cairo, the daughter of Delmar and C. Elaine (Ruhe) Perkins.

Joyce attended grade school at District 59 and graduated from Cairo High School in 1956. After attending Kearney College, she taught at District 14 in 1956–1957. On June 25, 1957, she married her high school sweetheart, Don Bruce Hargens, in Whittier, California. Don and Joyce were sweethearts from grade school on—riding bikes together as kids and sitting with each other in the old Cairo theater and at high school activities. They lived in California until Don graduated from engineering college. In 1961, they moved to a farm southwest of Cairo and began farming. To this marriage, three children were born. Don passed away suddenly on August 5, 1968.

Joyce began working at various banks until 2004 and later worked for Grand Island Public Schools for the next five years.

On September 12, 1970, Joyce was united in marriage to John Yosten. The couple lived in Wood River and, in 1990, moved to Grand Island. In 1974, John's son Joseph Yosten came to live with them. Joyce raised him as her own. John passed away on November 8, 2008, after battling cancer.

Joyce enjoyed all children—especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved making quilts and giving them away. She also volunteered at school and at her church.

She was a member of St. Leo's Catholic Church, where she taught religious education.

Joyce is survived by her children, KayLynn (Greg) Hayes of Grand Island, Patricia (David) Stephens of St. Paul, Michael (Angie) Hargens of Grand Island, and stepson Joseph Yosten of Jenks, OK; grandchildren Natalie (John) Castro, Angus (Michaela) Stephens, Jessica (Wade) Mathis, Brian Hargens, Kody (Andrew) Fitzke, and Taylor (Shelby) Hayes; step-grandchildren Brent Stephens and Ashton (Grayson) Jacoway; sister Christy (Bret) Osburn; sisters-in-law Geri Perkins Wardyn, Terri Perkins, and Kathy Hargens Baasch; and brother-in-law Ron (Linda) Hargens.

Others left to cherish her memory include great-grandchildren Aden Stephens, Mason Stephens, Walker Mathis, Skye Mathis, Liam Castro, Cooper Fitzke, Noah Stephens, Briella Stephens, Isabelle Jacoway, Annie Jacoway, and baby Daisy Castro, due in September. Three other children close to Grandma Joyce are Creighton, Colton, and Maeli Mehring.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents Henry & Daisy Perkins and Waldo & Ada Ruhe; brothers Clayton, Edward, James, and baby brother Donald; sister Betty Jo; daughter-in-law Michelle Yosten; sisters-in-law Laura Hargens and Betty Critel; and brother-in-law Dennis Baasch.