Joyce Murphy

Joyce (Rindal) Murphy 78 of Lewistown and formerly of Roy died Tuesday evening, July 21^st, 2020 in the Central Montana Medical Center under Hospice Care following a massive stroke on July 5^th, 2020.  Joyce was born to Lars and Grace (Olsen) Rindal in Lewistown, MT, on August 27^th, 1941. She was the 5^th of 7 children and grew up on a ranch outside of Roy and they had cattle, milk cows and chickens.  Joyce went to school in Roy and graduated from Roy High School in 1959. She attended one year of College at Eastern Montana College in Billings, MT. On September 10^th, 1960, she married the love of her life, James E. Murphy, also of Roy. Through the years she followed her husband as he participated in many rodeos, cooked for the family, helped on ranch with the cows, raised kids, etc.

Together they raised one daughter (Debbie) and three sons (Danny, Justin and Dustin). Unfortunately, in March, 1980 Danny was killed in a car accident just outside of Roy. Later in the 1980's Jim and Joyce bought a house in Malta where Justin and Dustin attended school. Mom was raised Presbyterian but enjoyed going to different denomination churches. She really enjoyed Christian Women's Club. They sold the house in Malta in the mid 90's and retained the ranch at Roy.  

Starting in March of 2004, Joyce used surgery, chemo and radiation to survive an aggressive battle with breast cancer. After Jim died in 2011, Joyce still ran the ranch with the help of Justin and Dustin. In 2015, she moved to Billings with her daughter Debbie and her husband Mike.  She enjoyed the deck of that house and had a friend down in Billings (Bonnie) to share a glass of wine and to go to church at Faith Chapel.   The cancer treatment had weakened Mom's heart and she had a stroke in July of 2016, which she was able to recover from. In May of 2018, she wanted to move back closer to the ranch at Roy and she bought a Condo at the Esplanade. She loved it there as the people were so friendly and caring. The family is so grateful that she found this place and appreciate ALL of the people there who became good friends of hers.  

Mom loved being a Mom and a Grandma.  

Joyce leaves behind - daughter - Debbie (Mike) Phillips of Billings, MT and grandchildren - Dani and Keelan Phillips of Lewistown and Missoula; Justin Murphy and granddaughter Kathryn (Kit) of Roy, MT and Dusty (Chrystal) Murphy and grandsons Dean and JD of Roy, MT; brothers Donald Rindal of Lewistown, Glen (Dollie) Rindal of Roy and Leroy Rindal of Billings; two sisters Lucille (Gene) Eckhardt of Lewistown and Phyllis Logsdon of Dallas, TX; many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives and dear friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband James E. Murphy, son Daniel Ray Murphy, brother Melvin Rindal, brother-in-law Harlan Barnes, two sisters-in-law Marlene Rindal and Betty Jo Barnes Murphy and a niece Shannon Smith.

A Celebration of Life for Joyce (Rindal) Murphy, due to the Covid-19 concerns, will be held in the Spring of 2021. Cremation has taken place and a private family committal will be in Central Montana Memorial Gardens of Lewistown where she will be laid to rest with her husband and next to her son Danny. The Cloyd Funeral Home is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to make memorials to the Roy Fire, Roy Ambulance, New Life Assembly of God Church in Lewistown, MT or the memorial of your choice and they may be left with the Cloyd Funeral Home. Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com.