Clara “Joyce” Edwards Goss
The Western News | UPDATED 1 week, 3 days AGO
Clara “Joyce” Edwards Goss, 83, was born on May 30, 1942, and after a hard fought battle with Parkinson’s, she was taken home to be with the Lord on Feb. 9, 2026.
Joyce was born to Harry and Verna Edwards in Powers Lake, North Dakota. She had one older sister, Minnie “Becky” Edwards (Boothman).
The family moved often, due to Harry’s work with the railroad. They even spent some time living in Warland, Montana which now is an underwater town due to the building of Libby Dam and the creation of Lake Koocanusa.
Joyce’s high school years were spent in Libby and Troy, and she graduated from Troy High School in 1960. She studied business at Kinman Business School in Spokane, Washington from 1960 to 1962. Soon after, she started her career at the Forest Service where she loved working on wildfires in the summers.
Joyce married Rodney Olson on Christmas Eve 1962 and she had three children from that marriage; Lance, Lee and Tawnie.
Oct. 8, 1988 she married Delman Goss. This gave her three additional step-children; Dessie Goss (Leader), Jeret Goss and Rett Goss.
Joyce enjoyed many things. She enjoyed water skiing and swimming, loved cooking, took belly dancing classes and later in life she dabbled in local theater acting.
After retiring from her career at the Forest Service, Joyce worked for State Farm, taught Defensive Driving (55 Alive), and turned her passion for cooking into a gratifying call to service to cook for International Messengers.
As mentioned, she joined Lincoln County Campus Theater Group where she thrived and enjoyed acting and performing in plays in Libby. Joyce was a Christian and devoted her life to Christ. She was passionate about her faith and helping others find their way.
She is preceded in death by parents Harry (1962) and Verna (2009), step-son Jeret Goss (2021), and her sister Becky (2024).
She is survived by her husband Del Goss of Libby, step-daughter Dessie (Ken) Leader of Troy, son Lance (Claire) Olson of Deer Park, Washington, son Lee (Ruby) Olson of Leavenworth, Kansas, step-son Rett (Jamie) Goss of Grass Range and daughter Tawnie (Patrick) Malone of Missoula. She is also survived by many grandchildren, gre-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
A service will be held at a future date to be determined by the family.