Joyce M. Bench

Joyce Merlene Bench, 89, passed away peacefully, from congestive heart failure, on Friday February 17, 2023 at Canterbury Assisted Living in Springville, Utah. We are certain that Joyce was excitedly reunited with many friends and family.

Joyce was born in McGill, Nevada on March 10, 1933 to Martin Edwin and Bertha Clara Mathews. She was the youngest of four children and grew up on a small farm in Millville, Utah. She learned the art of gardening and canning fruits and vegetables.

Joyce married Rawlyn Alma Devey on January 22, 1953 in Wyoming. Rawlyn suffered a fatal farming accident on May 7, 1953. At the time of Rawlyn’s death, Joyce was expecting their first child who would be born in November. In July 1953, Joyce went on her first date with Dean Ranson Bench to the Preston rodeo. They were married October 10, 1953. Joyce and Dean were sealed in the Logan LDS temple April 18, 1968 and were married for 61 years. Dean was the love of her life.

Joyce and Dean were devoted Aggie football and basketball fans and attended as often as they could. She was also passionate about watching sports on the television and did so up until the time of her passing. She was sharp and could always tell you a statistic about a game and her thoughts on the players. Joyce and Dean had many great camping adventures and spent much of their spare time enjoying the outdoors together.

Joyce loved motherhood, and Larry her son soon became the center of her life. She loved teaching, and playing sports with him. She supported him as he was involved in many different sporting teams growing up. Joyce took an active role in the lives of her grandchildren, whether it was teaching them how to fish, or how to grow the juiciest tomatoes. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother.

Joyce was active in her community, she was a member of the LDS church, Good Sam Camping Club, Golden Spike Bikers and the American Legion.

She worked as a supervisor over housekeeping at Logan Hospital. She continued her love of gardening, and spent many hours attending to her beautiful rose garden. She enjoyed many fun things with her family. Fourth of July celebrations at Aggie stadium, ice cream on the back porch, and visiting Willow Park with her grandchildren. Joyce will be greatly missed by the many lives she touched.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Dean and the late Rawlyn; parents; brothers, Martin Mathews and Glen Mathews; sister, Shirley Mathews Nielsen; and great grandson Cole Brooks Bench. She is survived by her son; Larry (Julie) Bench; 4 grandchildren; Brock (Brooke) Bench, Nicole (Brett) Herbst, Logan (Zach) Bench-Bown, and Jessie (Matt) Densely. Joyce has 13 great grandchildren and one on the way.

A viewing will be held at the Allen-Hall Mortuary 34 East Center Street, Logan, Utah on Thursday March 2, 2023 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. A service will be held at 1:30 p.m. following the viewing. Interment, Logan City Cemetery ,1000 North 1200 East. . www.allenmortuaries.com