Joyce Evelyn Novak (Stempke)

Joyce "Joy" Evelyn Novak (Stempke), 86, passed away peacefully at her home in Grants Pass, Oregon, surrounded by family and friends.

Joy was born December 22, 1939, in Riverside, California. She grew up working on her family's chicken farm alongside her siblings: Ted, Clarence Lee, Steve, MaryAnn, Darlene, and her beloved sister Louise, who passed away at age 9 from rheumatic fever.

At 18, Joy embarked on a new chapter, moving to Spokane, Washington, where she lived at the local YWCA and worked at Newberry's. It was there she met her first husband, Stan Stempke, and they married on July 2, 1960. In 1967, the couple moved to Grants Pass, Oregon, where they adopted their daughter Jean-Ann, followed by their second daughter, Jennifer, in 1973.

Joy devoted herself to being a stay-at-home mother. As her daughters grew, she worked at The Skinny Spot ice cream shop, at the phone company as a telephone operator, at McGregors, and eventually as a bank teller at US Bank, where she retired.

Joy had a passion for gardening and transformed her yard into a beautiful park-like sanctuary. She could often be found watering and tending to her flowers well after dark, finding peace and joy in her outdoor haven.

After losing Stan in December 1995, Joy found love again and married Ronald Novak in 2002. Together, they traveled, worked in their beloved yard, and delighted in spoiling their grandchildren. Joy and Ron were active members of Jerome Prairie Bible Church, where they built lasting friendships and participated in weekly Bible study groups.

 Joy was preceded in death by her husbands, Stan Stempke (December 1995) and Ronald Novak (June 2025). 

She is survived by her daughters, Jean-Ann Conner and Jennifer Crandall; her grandchildren, Jake Conner, Natalie Crandall, and Kerry Sean Crandall; great grandchildren Levi and Elaina Conner; and from the Novak side: 4 stepchildren, Randy, Doug, Brent, and Deann; grandchildren Jamie, Angie, Adam, Dylan, Chad, Kimberly, Greg, and Kayla; great-grandchildren Brendon, Karissa, Isaac, Kassidy, Jade, Jasmine, Spencer, Kaitlin, Collin, Hailey, Austin, and Brynsen; and great-great-grandchildren Mathias, Bennett, Riyvn, Genesis, and Isaac Jr. Joy was a loving mother, sister, grandmother, and friend to many. Her warmth, dedication, and generous spirit touched all who knew her.

A celebration of life will be at 11:00 a.m., Febuary 28, 2026 at Jerome Prairie Bible Church. 

Private interment will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Please share a memory of Joy in her Guestbook.