Joy Elizabeth Kyzer Rasch

A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, July 9, 2022 at Ertel Memorial Chapel for Cortez resident Joy Elizabeth Rasch. Please stop by any time between 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. to help celebrate Joy’s wonderful life.
Joy was born August 12, 1946 in Henryetta, OK the daughter of Benjamin Frank and Sadie Ruth (Shane) Donathan. She passed away on Friday, June 24, 2022 at her residence in Cortez, CO at the age of 75.
Joy lived in San Diego, CA in the early 1970s. She moved to Southwest Colorado and resided in Mancos in the mid 1970s; moved to Durango in the 1980s; and came to live in Cortez in the early 2000s. Joy enjoyed arts and crafts, and even learned to weld so she could explore her love of creating sculptures. She sold her mosaics and stained-glass pieces at fairs and shops all around the southwest. She started making chile jellies and jams, which she made into her career in Durango and later Cortez. She was known for her beautiful flower gardens and her love of all plants.
Surviving Joy are her loving spouse, Brian Rasch of Cortez, CO; her daughter, Kyla Murphy (Steve Roybal) of Rio Rancho, NM; her son, Shane Kyzer (Lori) of Tucson, AZ; her sister, Barbara Williams of Cortez, CO; her grandchildren, Jase Kyzer, and Sara Denogean; and her great grandchildren, Aria May, and Abagail May. Joy was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Darren Murphy; and her brother, Mike Donathan.