Joyce Thacker Murphy, 91, passed away peacefully at her home in Kimberly on July 31, 2026. Joyce was born October 31, 1934 to Murray Durrant and Larna Anderson Thacker in Daniel, Utah in her grandparent’s home. She was the oldest child and only girl with 5 brothers. She grew up playing basketball, volleyball and other sports with her brothers and was quite a good athlete even at only 5 foot tall! With 5 brothers she had to be competitive. She worked for First Security bank in credit reporting and worked her way up to the secretary to the bank Vice President.

She loved to dance and met the love of her life, George Murphy, at a dance in Salt Lake and was married November 26, 1960. In April of 1961 they moved to Hazelton, ID where they began farming for Rellis Murphy. They had their first daughter Pamela there. In 1964 they moved to Murtaugh to farm. They welcomed 3 children while in Murtaugh. Lori, Mark, and Kent. They bought a farm and ranch of their own south of Kimberly in 1976. Joyce helped George farm and ranch, drove beet truck in the fall, and was a wonderful, kind, loving, and patient mother to their 4 children.

She helped her children with many years of 4-H steers and leather craft. Joyce was an excellent cook and housekeeper. She had a green thumb and always grew the most beautiful flowers. Joyce and George were involved in a square-dancing group and square-danced weekly. Joyce also loved music, especially country and western music, Garth Brooks and Elvis! She was always tapping her toes to a good song and loved campfire guitar songs. Her and George loved to travel and were able to go to Graceland on one of their trips. They were also able to go to Alaska, Canada, Hawaii and Arizona. Joyce worked at Ram Motors in Hailey for 2 years, then when Lori bought the flower shop in Kimberly she delivered flowers for 19 years.

Joyce was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She was a Cub Scout leader, teacher, and librarian for many years. Their family and the gospel of Jesus Christ was everything to George and Joyce and they knew the importance of being sealed for eternity. It was a wonderful day when they went to the Salt Lake Temple on April 3, 1980 and were sealed as a family.

All the grandkids remember Grandma playing games and sports with them, fixing breakfast for them, and going fishing with them. She also liked to bowl and was on a league for 3 years. She would rarely say no to a grandchild and she was very kind to everyone. She was the type that would take care of everyone else’s needs before her own and was a great example of what a selfless and Christlike woman looks like.

Joyce is survived by Pam (Mark) Francis of Wendell, Lori (Race) Brown of Kimberly, Mark (Jenny) Murphy of Kimberly, Kent (Dawn) Murphy of Kimberly, Valerie Thacker of Paul, Phil (Larae) Thacker of Utah, Andy (Nicole) Thacker of Arizona, 15 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and life long friend June Fenn. She is preceded in death by her husband George Murphy, parents Murray and Larna Thacker, Roy (Beverly) Thacker, Jay Thacker, and Neil (Tanya) Thacker.

A viewing will be held on Friday, August 14, 2026 from 6-8 p.m. at Rosenau Funeral Home. The funeral will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints meeting house at 222 Birch Street South in Kimberly with a viewing an hour before.