On June 28, 2014, Augusta “Joyce” Biver succumbed to effects of the relentless and insidious disease that is Alzheimer’s. She passed at her daughter’s home in Hood River, Ore., with her children around her.

Joyce was the eighth of 12 children born to Ural and Allie Lessley. Joyce grew up in Blackburn, Okla. Her family moved to California her senior year of high school. She met and married Brian “Steve” Duce in 1956 and later moved to Portland, Ore. They had four children: Michael, Stephen, Cheryl and Kenneth.

In 1970, Joyce married Hal Biver. Hal’s job with the state took them to La Grande, Ore., in 1973, where Joyce had a small in-home daycare. In 1975, the family moved to Hood River, Ore. Joyce worked at the Sears store for a short time, and then went to work for Montgomery Ward and later Kerney-Western Power Products, from which she retired. Hal and Joyce were married 19 years before Hal’s passing in 1989.

Joyce enjoyed her 20-plus years in the Hood River Delta Kappa chapter of ESA International. She loved gardening, cooking, and most of all, time with her family and friends.

She is survived by her children, Michael (Florence) Duce, of Kalama, Wash., Cheryl (Jeff) Moore, of Hood River, and Kenneth (Anne) Biver, of Portland; grandchildren Eric, Zachery, Joshua and Jacob Duce, Bella Moore, and Amber, Alicia and Kendra Biver; four great-grandchildren; and sisters Esther Tuck, of Florida, Nola Hamilton, of California, and Flora McIntosh, of Washington; as well as dozens of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Hal; son, Stephen Duce, of Hood River; parents Ural and Allie; sisters Peggy, Bea and Mary; brothers Charles, Chester, Ural Jr. and John; and sister, Erdis.

Her celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, July 21st at Anderson’s Tribute Center.

She would be honored to have donations in her name sent to the Alzheimer’s Association to help find a cure, the Heart of Hospice in Hood River and Delta Kappa sorority of Hood River.

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; 541-386-1000.

Please visit andersonstributecenter.com to leave a note of condolence for family.