Joy L. Youree

Joy Lynnette Youree, 72, of Kimberly, Idaho, passed away on Monday, September 4, 2023, following a hard-fought battle with cancer.  Joy spent her final days at home surrounded by family and friends.  These days will forever be cherished by all who attended for the memories both shared and created.  

Our wife, mom, grandma, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend was the third child of Francis Eugene (Gene) and Melva May (Messley) Johnson, born on May 8, 1951, following older brothers Gerald Johnson and Kenneth Johnson, and preceding younger sister Holly Lee.  Joy and her family grew up farming and attending schools throughout the Magic Valley in Wendell, Kimberly, and Hansen.  Throughout her youth, Joy participated in 4-H, church, cheerleading, music, and student government.   After graduating from Hansen High School in 1969, she attended the College of Southern Idaho, graduating with an Associates Degree.

On December 27, 1969, Joy married the love of her life, Richard Youree.  Their marriage was blessed with three children:  William Scott, born on July 22, 1972, Kelly Marie, born on February 19, 1974, and Kody Christopher, born on March 30, 1977.  Richard and Joy farmed side by side with their children for over 20 years in Hansen, Idaho.  When they moved their farming operation to Kimberly, Idaho, Joy stepped off the tractor and into a career at Windsor’s Nursery.  She transferred her love of planting and harvesting field crops to a new-found love of growing and nurturing plants, flowers, and trees.  Joy spent over 15 years with the Windsor Nursery family and leaves behind a legacy of family, hard work, and loyalty.  

Richard and Joy immersed themselves and their family in Kimberly Christian Church where they served for over 40 years.  Joy relished her opportunities to serve as a teacher for Sunday school and Vacation Bible School, as a pianist for church, as a member of the choir, and as a servant in whatever ways the church needed.  She instilled an attitude of service, humility, and generosity in her children.  Joy was also proud of her time working as a scale master for the Amalgamated Sugar Company.  Joy worked 46 sugar beet campaigns and was a steadfast fixture on the Twin Falls piling ground every Fall from September to November.  She prided herself on knowing every driver and sugar beet truck before they crossed her scales.

Joy’s devotion and sacrifice for her family and friends was one of her greatest qualities.  She enjoyed yearly adventures to Yuma, Arizona, initially traveling with her parents and sister, and later with her husband, Richard, and family friend, Janet Morris.  They found time to explore different areas, played a few rounds of golf with other Magic Valley friends in the area, and took advantage of the markets and vendors across the border in Algodones, Mexico.  Joy, along with Richard, nurtured many close friendships throughout their marriage.  Some of these friendships began in high school and were still flourishing on the day she passed away.  In her quiet and unwavering way, Joy was a friend easy to love and laugh with in the good times, and could be counted on to support and encourage in the hardest of times.   Richard and Joy also enjoyed supporting their grandchildren’s activities, attending sporting events, music concerts, 4-H shows, and church functions.  

Joy is survived by her loving and faithful spouse of 53 years, Richard Youree of Kimberly, ID; her mother, Melva Johnson of Buhl, ID; son, Scott Youree of Kimberly, ID; daughter, Kelly Cooke (Robert) of Nampa, ID; son, Kody Youree (Monica) of Twin Falls, ID; grandchildren, Kaden Lynch, Macie Youree, Boden Youree, and Wiley Youree of Twin Falls, ID; siblings, Jerry Johnson of Twin Falls, ID; Kenny Johnson of Hansen, ID; and Holly Lee (Rick) of Hansen, ID; sister-in-law, Vonita Reavis of Boise, ID; brother-in-law, Gene Youree (Marge) of Cartersville, GA; her beloved and treasured nieces and nephews; and a close collection of cousins whom she considered her first best friends.  She is preceded in death by her father, Gene Johnson of Hansen, ID (Aug. 1999).

The celebration of life for Joy Youree will be held on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., at Rosenau Funeral Chapel, in Twin Falls, ID.  Internment at Sunset Memorial Park in Twin Falls, ID, will follow at a date and time yet to be determined.  A reception will follow the service at Windsor’s Nursery and Greenhouse in Kimberly, ID (3796 N 3386 E, Kimberly Rd, Kimberly, ID).  Memorial contributions can be made to the St. Luke’s Twin Falls Cancer Institute (725 Pole Line Rd, Twin Falls, ID, 83301). The family of Joy Youree would like to thank the doctors and nurses of St. Luke’s Twin Falls Cancer Institute, as well as the nurses and caregivers of Visions Hospice, for their compassionate care of Joy in her final days.  Joy Youree will always be remembered for her love and devotion to family; her loyalty and generosity to friends; and her spirit of service and hard work in all she pursued in life.