Joy Goehner

Joy Laila Goehner was born in 1948 in Bedford, Massachusetts. She was born to Janith Eaton and William Anderson. After a divorce, her mother would marry a man named Clarence Jenkins. Clarence will be the person that Joy would call Dad for the rest of her life. In talking about her younger years, Joy would often describe herself as being an “Air Force brat” because both of her dads served in the military, which meant that she moved around a lot. They finally settled in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, however, where Joy graduated from high school. Joy had a strong, independent spirit and often talked about getting a job at 16 and moving out of the house at 18 to the big city. She lived for several years in both Boston, Massachusetts and New York City. She spoke of her work with the Social Security system with a civic pride reflected again in her later years as she was often a volunteer around election time helping to make sure the polls were working and checking people in as they came to vote. Although she marched in protests in the 60s, mom was also proud that her two dads and her brother had all served in the Armed Forces. She was a lifelong supporter of veterans often giving to their causes, especially those for wounded veterans. One of her brother-in-laws also served in the Air Force in Hawaii, which took mom on a new adventure as a young adult as he went to live with her sister on Base near Honolulu. She went to work again for Social Security and begin attending a local Baptist Church. It was there at the church singing in the choir that she met Larry Goehner, who was directing the choir at the time. We would often joke about how their eyes first met as they were singing songs together. They would share this mutual, lifelong love of singing throughout their years, especially singing in church choir and bringing praises to God. Little did Joy know that this new love and eventual marriage would take her on adventures in life she probably would have never dreamed of. She and Larry were good friends of the pastors at the small Baptist Church in Hawaii and when the pastor moved back to California, Joy and Larry followed so Larry could finish his seminary studies. Their friendship with the Pastor and his wife would lead them into a mutual calling to serve adults with developmental disabilities by starting nonprofit programs in a rural setting. Joy was a part of the beginning of three different ranches in this ministry. First working at rainbow acres in Arizona, then at New Hope Farms in Goldendale, Washington, and finally at Special K Ranch near Columbus, Montana. Along the way, Joy and Larry had two children, Erik and Allen. For the first few years of their lives, Joy focused on raising her two boys. But then she eventually entered full-time work alongside Larry, building the ministries. Although she worked full-time for the rest of her life until retiring at 1962, her children were still the focus of her lives in many ways as she always made sure they had good meals put before them three times a day, the laundry was washed, and most importantly they knew they were loved. Mom was a hard worker who was very committed to her job serving the mission of the ranches, but she also knew how to have fun. She was always up for a new adventure and enjoyed spending time outdoors. Whether it was cross-country skiing in the winter, going for hikes in the local mountains or a competitive game of tennis with her husband and two boys, Joy had an outgoing spirit which endeared her not only to her family, but also to many friends and acquaintances. Joy often enjoyed talking and sharing a story or two. She would often strike up conversations with strangers and get to know them. Mom sometimes told her children “there are no strangers. only friends we haven’t met yet. Growing up, mom often attended local churches with friends who invited her because she enjoyed singing in their choirs. Later on, she had a kind of conversion experience through the church in Hawaii when she fully committed to following Jesus. Later, she and Larry came to practice their faith through the Lutheran Christian tradition which they were a part of for all of their married life. She became a member of Saint James Lutheran Church in Columbus, MT in 1986 and was active there until she moved in 2023. In retirement, Joy, continued a life service. She volunteered at the church, volunteered at Project Hope in Columbus, and worked part-time as a substitute teacher at Columbus high school. She also enjoyed reading novels, creating works of art through her adult coloring books and watching her favorite primetime television shows. In addition, she and Larry enjoyed weeklong trips to various resorts in Mexico to escape the Montana winters and enjoy some southern sunshine. As her family began to grow Joy and Larry also traveled south almost once a year to see their three California grandkids, Maya, Dryden, and Piper. When later on her other grandkids, Luke and Leo were born, they began taking trips to Missoula, Montana as well.

In 2023 after battling her second round of cancer and going through difficult chemo treatments, while at the same time dealing with Parkinson’s disease, Joy made the decision to go onto hospice. She and Larry left Columbus, which had been their home for 37 years. They moved to the Village Senior Residence in Missoula, Montana in order to be closer to one of their sons Allen and his family.

Joy continued with her same friendly spirit as best she could, getting to know all the caregivers and staff at the retirement home as well as some of the other residents. She enjoyed playing bingo and dragging Larry along to play as well. She appreciated the visits from friends and family she received and clung to the best quality of life that she could for as long as she was able. On May 26, 2025 she gave up her last breath with her family around her and her beloved Larry by her side. She now rests in everlasting arms held with the love of God, which flowed through her throughout her life. Joy is survived by her husband, Larry Goehner, her son Allen Sasser-Goehner and his wife Molly Sasser-Goehner along with their two children, Luke and Leo Sasser-Goehner, her other son, Erik Goehner and his wife Desta Goehner along with their children, Maya, Dryden, and Piper Goehner. She’s also survived by her three sisters, Tami Green, Karen and Kathy. Joy will be laid to rest in the Columbus cemetery. A service is still to be planned.

Gifts may be given in the memory of Joy either to Special K ranch of Columbus, Montana or Saint Judes Children’s Hospital. The hospital was a favorite charity of Joy’s because of their cancer treatment, especially for children.