Joyce LaVaun (Ruggles) Rein passed away peacefully at the home of her daughter, surrounded by family, on November 24, 2022, in Abilene, Kansas at the age of 87. She was born February 16, 1935, to William and Vera (Bittner) Ruggles in Great Bend, Kansas. She was orphaned at a young age and raised by her Uncle Carl and Aunt Alice Bittner.

Joyce lived much of her childhood in Great Bend and Bazine, Kansas, graduating from Bazine High School in 1954. Shortly after graduation, on December 30, 1954, she married Valis Leon Rein. Most of their married life was spent in Abilene, Kansas. For over 30 years Joyce worked as a school cook for USD 435. They had five children: daughter, Vicki (Steve) Gieber; sons, Johnny Rein, Verlyn (Pamela) Rein, Ronald (Debbie) Rein, and Curtis (Sandy) Rein, all of Abilene. She is survived by 4 children, 12 grandchildren; Tammy Stroda, Randy Stroda, Jakob Stroda, Rick Rein, Angela Carranza, Matt Rein, Brandon Rein, and Corinne Garrison, step-grandchildren; Nathan and Jacine Gieber, Tracey and Tabetha Copenhaver, 21 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Donna (Ruggles) Switzer, and two close cousins, Shirla Holmes, and Barbara Bedwell.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Valis; son, Johnny Rein; and granddaughter, Erika Rein-Mills.

Joyce was spunky, witty, adventuresome, strong-willed, accepting, and filled with beauty and grace. She was a master of reusing, repurposing, and pinching pennies, such as, plastic bread bags for overshoes, zip-lock baggies washed and reused (many times), and no more than 3 inches of water in the bathtub on bath night. An accomplished seamstress, she made most of her children’s clothes. Joyce could climb trees, ride bikes, run races, roller skate, turn cartwheels, hula-hoop, swing a bat as well as a hammer. She loved to sing and dance and was a girl scout and cub scout leader, a carpenter, and master cook and cleaner. She had a special love for all her grandchildren and would do anything for them, including babysitting, chauffeuring, and spoiling with them with their favorite treats. Her children were blessed with a “Super Mom” …there was nothing she could not do!! But most of all, for her family, she was unconditional love…she was home.

A celebration of life will be held Friday, December 2, 2022, 1:00 PM, at Community Bible Church, 1400 N. Cedar, Abilene, KS, with interment at the Abilene Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 1, 2022, between 5:00 – 7:00 pm at Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home, 414 NW 3rd Street, Abilene, KS. In lieu of flowers, her family requests memorials be donated to the Abilene Senior Center, where Joyce enjoyed friendship and fellowship for many years. Contributions may be left at the funeral home.