Joyce Eloise Friesen
January 7, 1969 – May 29, 2025
Joyce Friesen (nee Olmstead) passed away suddenly on May 29 in Didsbury at the age of 56, due to complications from a recent surgery. Joyce lived a life of unwavering faith in Jesus, and she had an incredible love for her husband Russ, her family, extended family and her friends. Her joyful servant heart impacted all who knew her.
Joyce was born on January 7, 1969, in Moose Jaw SK, the youngest of 4 children to Gordon and Eloise Olmstead. She grew up in Caronport SK. on the campus of Briercrest Bible College where her parents managed the local post office for many years. She was the cute little sister to her sister Bettie, and brothers Doug and Wes. Joyce attended high school in Caronport, and after graduation attended Briercrest Bible college for 2 years. Her kind and gentle spirit led her to pursue a Nursing Degree at Foothills School of Nursing in Calgary, achieving her RN designation.
Joyce and Russ started a relationship after connecting at Foothills Alliance Church in Calgary. They nurtured their long-distance relationship as Russ was working in Elkford, and then in Richmond BC. They were married in Caronport on Sept 5, 1992. Joyce then joined Russ in Richmond BC where they started their married life together. Russ continued to call Joyce “His Bride” regularly, and they loved each other deeply. Their 3 children, Conner, Carson, and Joelle, and 2 grand-daughters Arley and Evelynn were always her treasures. Family was tremendously important to her.
Her medical career first started in the pediatric ward of Vancouver Children’s Hospital when they lived in Richmond BC. Then when they moved to Caronport in 1998, she worked as a Home Care Nurse through Moose Jaw Hospital. Work opportunities for Russ brought the family to Didsbury in 2001 and Joyce transitioned to use her compassion for people as an Education Assistant for a special needs student at Koinonia School.
While living in Didsbury, the opportunity came up to relocate to Camp Harmattan where Russ and Joyce were the site Maintenance Manager & Host and Joyce continued supporting her special needs student as an EA. In 2014 they moved back to Caronport to be closer to support Joyce’s aging parents. After the passing of Joyce’s parents, the family returned to Didsbury in 2018. Joyce continued with employment recently at the Didsbury Pharmasave.
Joyce loved music and sang beautifully, and she even tolerated the kids heavy metal music without complaining. She enjoyed reading Karen Kingsbury novels and loved a good Hallmark movie. She became a sports fan at an early age with her brothers and enjoyed watching football and hockey with Russ. They loved to make road trips to visit family in Saskatchewan, and to the mountains where Radium definitely was a favorite spot. Her deep love for people and her own personal challenges with mental health created empathy for people who were impacted by similar challenges.
She is now safe in the arms of Jesus, and we will all miss her loving presence in our lives. A Celebration of Life for Joyce will be held at 1:30pm on Thursday June 5, at Zion Evangelical Missionary Church in Didsbury. The family requests that attendees wear bright colors to celebrate Joyce’s intentional desire to make life around her happy.
In-lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: give@ziononline.ca In memory of Joyce Friesen, Mental Health Support Initiative.

The service will be live streamed for those who want to participate on-line.
Joyce Friesen Memorial Service
vimeo.com

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 5226 – 46 Street, Olds, Alberta. Phone: 403.507.8610

• Date : 2025-06-04
• Location : (Olds) LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED (Red Deer/Blackfalds/Eckville) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & (Innisfail/Olds/Didsbury/Sundre) www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com