Joyce Keyes Obituary

On the 22nd of October 2025 Joyce Almeda Leathers Keyes went peacefully to be with the Lord.

Joyce was born in Livingston, MT Aug. 6, 1936 to Bill and Almeda Leathers. Attending school in Livingston, she was active in twirling all thru High School being the first one to twirl a light on fire baton, graduating from Park High School in 1954. She married Howard Keyes October 16, 1954. Together they raised their family on the Door Key Hereford Ranch in Wilsall, MT. Retiring in 1977, moving to Hamilton, MT and living there for the next 30 years. When Howard passed in 2007 Joyce moved back home to Livingston.

She loved cooking and could put a great meal on the table with short notice. Sewing was always her passion, among projects sewing new shirts for her family every spring so they all could have a new shirt for the local rodeo. She continued sewing on into retirement as a hobby, she loved it and was very good at it, making vinyl purses, quilts with her sisters, decorating sweatshirts and t-shirts and patching the holes in anyone’s jeans that needed fixed.

Fishing was a favorite sport, between Canyon Ferry and going to Canada with their friends it was special times for her. She thoroughly enjoyed playing bingo and pinochle with the Hot Shot card club.

Joyce is preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Almeda Leathers, husband, Howard Keyes, granddaughter, Clara Jane Stewart, son-in-law, Jack Stewart, sisters, Shirley Hartman and Diane Leathers and her only brother, Bud Leathers.

She is survived by her son, Butch Keyes (Kathy) of Livingston, MT, daughters, Penny Lindell (Chuck) of Rock Springs, WY, Peggy Stewart (Mike) of Butte, MT, sisters, Kay Rigler of Livingston and Sharon Manti (Dale) of Arizona, nephew, Clay Hartman (Christy) of Lolo, MT, grandchildren, Levi Keyes (Mary Anne), Ryan Keyes (Amy) and Robyn Sherrill (Patrick) of Livingston, MT, Ashley Brown (Dustin) of Yakima, WA, Cody Stewart (Hanah) of Butte, MT, Kenneth Lindell (Rylee) of Rock Springs, WY, 16 great grand-children and several other nieces, nephews and cousins.

Cremation has taken place and a Memorial Service will be held at the Wilsall Senior Center on November 3, 2025 at 11:30 AM with a luncheon and fellowship to follow. Burial will follow, being laid to rest next to her husband Howard in the Wilsall Cemetery.

The family suggests that donations be made to the Wilsall Senior Center, the Wilsall Cemetery or a charity of your choice. Special thanks to Dr. Henry Pinango, the staff at Livingston Health and Rehab, Hospice staff and family and friends who assisted in her care.

To leave a condolence, please visit below. Franzen-Davis Funeral Home has been honored to care for Joyce and her family.