Obituary of Joyce Kathleen Aasland

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Joyce Kathleen Aasland. She passed unexpectedly in EK Regional Hospital on May 31, 2022 surrounded by her three children.
 

Joyce was born November 10, 1935 in Nelson as the eldest child to Cyril and Edith Williamson. She was raised in Deer Park, BC and later moved to Castlegar for high school. There she graduated from Stanley Humphreys High School at the age of 16.
She pursued a career in bookkeeping and her first job was at William Waldy Lumber Company in Castlegar. In Castlegar, Joyce met her lifelong love, Odd Aasland. Joyce and Odd married on June 4, 1955 in Castlegar where they started their family.
In 1960, they permanently moved to Cranbrook to pursue Odd’s passion and start their business, Aasland Museum Taxidermy. Joyce and Odd had three children: Janene, Jordon and Erin.
Joyce worked for Shaw Sales and Service doing their books as Odd was building their taxidermy business and working at Cominco. She then worked at The Sport Spot that she and Odd ran together. Following this, she worked for Revelstoke Building Centre doing their books. In the early 1970’s, Joyce left Revelstoke Building Centre to open their new Aasland Museum Taxidermy business on the Cranbrook-Kimberley highway. Joyce managed the shop allowing Odd to be the artist.
Joyce loved to travel and she saw much of the world with Odd and her family. She was always active and up for an adventure.
She was a big part of the Cranbrook community where she volunteered with Hospice, Stephen Ministries, and the Canadian Cancer Society. She made many friends while she was involved with the Scandinavian Brotherhood, the Chums of the Chamber, and the Gyro Club. A life-long Anglican parishioner, she later in life became a lay minister with the Anglican Church. She was very generous with her time and spirit.
 

Joyce enjoyed painting and reading and had a great thirst for learning, knowledge and art. She loved to sing and the Aasland house was always full of music. Gardening was also one of Joyce’s many passions and she was thrilled to use her garden’s harvests in her elaborate dinners. She loved to entertain and was a most gracious host.
Joyce beat cancer twice and her strength inspired all those who knew her. Her positive spirit and incredible laughter touched everyone she came in contact with.
 

Joyce was predeceased by her sister and best friend, Ruth in 1998. Joyce also leaves to mourn her husband Odd of 67 years, her 3 children Janene (Gordon), Jordon (Heidi) and Erin (Mark), 5 Grandchildren Justin (Deannie), Gavin (Shannon), Curtis (Paige), Karlee (Matt), Dayne (Jayelin).
7 Great Grandchildren (Isabel, Oliver, Dashiell, Sylvie, Danica, Jackson and Daniel).
 

The service for Joyce will be held at 11:00 am at the Christ Church Anglican in Cranbrook on Thursday, June 9th with a Celebration of Life following at The Heid Out.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Society.

To view the Memorial Service via Zoom, please email Christ Church Anglican at

ccacen@shaw.ca