Joy Buxbaum, 89, Sidney, MT

Funeral services for Joy Buxbaum, 89, Sidney, MT, were held Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, 2 p.m. at the Limitless Church, Sidney, MT, with Pastor Dustin Morgan officiating. A luncheon followed the graveside service. Visitation was Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, 10-a.m.-5 p.m. at Fulkerson-Stevenson Memorial Chapel, Sidney, MT. A family receiving friends service was Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, 6:30 p.m. at the Limitless Church, Sidney, MT. Fulkerson-Stevenson Funeral Home, Sidney, MT is assisting the family. Remembrances, condolences, and pictures may be shared with the family at http://www.fulkersons.com.

Joy passed away at her home on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, after a long battle with cancer.

The fourth of seven children, Joy was born to John and Martha (Hackley) McGinnis on May 24, 1934, in Sidney, MT. Her family lived at Sioux Pass before moving to Crane. Growing up, Joy and Tiny had mutual friends, but it was their mothers who decided they should be properly introduced. They began dating in 1952 and married on Sept. 19, 1953. Tiny and Joy attended the Assembly of God Church.

Joy and Tiny made their first home south of Sidney. They had four children: Yvonne, Rodney, Donald, and Penny. In 1963 they moved to the ranch southeast of Sidney where they resided until their deaths.

Joy took pride in being a rancher's wife. She was a fantastic cook and baked the best apple pie. She always had a pot of coffee on and food ready for anyone who stopped by. Joy was always trying to feed you something... she never wanted anyone to go away hungry!

She spent a lot of time in the kitchen – for years she would pack a hot lunch and take it to the fields where the men were working. Usually, a roast beef dinner complete with mashed potatoes and gravy, all in the trunk of her car. She had to be sure that Tiny was eating!

Joy had her chickens and milk cows and would name her favorites. She sold cream and eggs and butchered chickens. She eventually gave up on the chores and decided to clean homes for the elderly as her act of service. She enjoyed the time spent with them.

Always keeping busy, Joy loved to can tomatoes and put-up chokecherry jelly. She didn't like to sit for long! When she was 87, she became a certified mail carrier for USPS. She would meet Von and get her neighbors' mail and deliver it on her way back home. She loved doing that as it got her out and occasionally, she got to visit with a neighbor.

Spending time with her family was very important to Joy. She loved having her family around her and felt blessed to have them nearby. Since Tiny passed, her companions became her beloved kitties who comforted her and kept her company as well as Cooper, her dog. She said they were her therapy.

Joy attended the Assembly of God Church her entire life. The past year was the only time she missed church due to her illness.

Always willing to help others any way she could, she was a kind, giving person. She showed her love not only with a meal, but with encouragement and faith that tomorrow would be a better day. She showed us how to live our lives by her example, and you could be sure she was praying for us all!

Joy is survived by her three remaining children: Yvonne (Sherman) DeTienne, Sidney; Rodney (Marie Krum), Sidney; and Penny (Scott) McRae, Kalispell; two sisters, Beverly Pust, Whittier, CA; and Sharon Gerding, Lake Havasu, AZ; and seven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Joy is preceded in death by her husband Tiny (Wilmer) Buxbaum, son Donald Buxbaum, parents John and Martha McGinnis, great-granddaughter Angel Faith Emly, sisters, Ellen Wyman and Carrie Fischer, and brothers, Leo and Tom McGinnis.

Joy loved and treasured her family and friends and they loved and treasured her in return. She will be missed terribly. Joy loved her Lord Jesus Christ and it is comforting to know she is with him now.