1926
Joyce
2023
Joyce Elayne Wanta
April 3, 1926 — August 18, 2023
Joyce Elayne Wanta passed away on August 18, 2023, in St. George, Utah. Joyce was born on April 3, 1926, in Wausau, Wisconsin. She married George Wanta on September 11, 1948, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. He preceded her in death in 1978.
Joyce is survived by three daughters, Vicki Frech (Gary), Georgine Bills, (Gary), and Kristine Fullmer. She had four grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
She attended nursing school in Missouri when she was 17 years old and became an RN. She and George moved from Wisconsin to Salt Lake City in 1954. She worked as a nurse for the V.A. and the “old” County General Hospital, where she was asked to develop the “Inhalation Therapy” department. She was recruited from the U of U Medical Center to develop the Respiratory Therapy program at Weber State University in 1968. As one of the first respiratory therapists in the state, she was active at the national level and became the first non-physician to be appointed chair of the JRCRTE (The National Accrediting Agency for Respiratory Therapy Education in Colleges and Universities).
Joyce retired from W.S.U in 1987 and was involved in golf and bowling leagues, the Red Hat Society, and many other hobbies right up to the time she died. She moved from Salt Lake City to the St. George area in January 2023.
Per her request, a private family service was held.
She enjoyed the humor of the cartoon character Maxine and followed Maxine’s advice:
“Life should not be a journey to the grave with intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body – but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming “Woo Hoo! What a ride!!”
She had a great ride – have a party and celebrate knowing her.
Joyce is survived by three daughters, Vicki Frech (Gary), Georgine Bills, (Gary), and Kristine Fullmer. She had four grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
She attended nursing school in Missouri when she was 17 years old and became an RN. She and George moved from Wisconsin to Salt Lake City in 1954. She worked as a nurse for the V.A. and the “old” County General Hospital, where she was asked to develop the “Inhalation Therapy” department. She was recruited from the U of U Medical Center to develop the Respiratory Therapy program at Weber State University in 1968. As one of the first respiratory therapists in the state, she was active at the national level and became the first non-physician to be appointed chair of the JRCRTE (The National Accrediting Agency for Respiratory Therapy Education in Colleges and Universities).
Joyce retired from W.S.U in 1987 and was involved in golf and bowling leagues, the Red Hat Society, and many other hobbies right up to the time she died. She moved from Salt Lake City to the St. George area in January 2023.
Per her request, a private family service was held.
She enjoyed the humor of the cartoon character Maxine and followed Maxine’s advice:
“Life should not be a journey to the grave with intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body – but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming “Woo Hoo! What a ride!!”
She had a great ride – have a party and celebrate knowing her.
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