Joyce Marie (McCauley) Chase

Joyce Marie McCauley Hergert Chase of Nampa, Idaho went home to her Lord on Thursday March 22, 2018. She was 90 years old. Joyce was born on June 29, 1927 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska to Merle and Dorothy (Harmon) McCauley. She was an only child, but was always close to her maternal aunt, Waunita.

Joyce acquired her love of baking at a young age by helping out in her father's bakery. This passion lasted her whole life as she baked many wedding cakes, fruit cakes, birthday cakes, and eventually opened her own fudge shop in Nampa which is still run by one of her granddaughters. Joyce moved to Glendale, California after high school to attend college and worked as a telephone operator. Her love of dance allowed her to tour with a u.s.o. show during World War II. While in California she met her husband, Earl G. Hergert. They married December 1, 1946. Together they welcomed 5 children before Earl passed away in 1961. During this time she joined the Lutheran Church with Earl. She has been a member of a Lutheran Missouri Synod ever since. With a determination Joyce was known for, she moved her kids to Nampa in August of 1962. She immediately became active in both Canyon County 4-H and Zion Lutheran Church as a youth leader. Throughout her life she stayed active in both of these organizations. Her love and faith in Christ kept her strong throughout her life, even throughout the struggles of life. In 1965 she married Carl F. Chase Jr. and moved to the family farm where she stayed until her passing.' Chase Farms thrived under the couple even receiving the Farm Conservation Family of the Year award in 1981. Joyce actively did all she could to see the farm community in the Treasure Valley succeed.

She was active in Idaho Women for Agriculture, Soil Conservation Auxiliary, Idaho Federation of Republican Women, Women's Century Club, and the Toastmistress club where she won several national speaking events. She held offices and stayed active in many of these clubs until her late 80's. In 1966 she became a registrar for Lone Star Precinct #25. She held this position until 1984 when she was elected to serve as a Canyon County Commissioner. She served as Chairman of the Commissioners from 1986 to 1990. Joyce did many great things while in office. She was involved in the building off the Canyon County jail, helped get Celebration Park established, and was always trying to make improvements to the Canyon County fair facilities to help the youth.

 
Joyce attacked every challenge with such vigor that she was affectionately called the "white tornado" at the
courthouse. After retirement, Joyce stayed active in politics. She continued to talk about running for office again in her later years. She enjoyed baking and sewing and teaching these skills to her granddaughters. One of her greatest joys in life was being a grandmother. She also enjoyed traveling in her motor home and raising horses.

 
She could never slow down. In her ss" year she took a long awaited trip to Ireland with her granddaughter, Megan. While there she attended the Dublin horse show, kissed the Blarney Stone, and visited the church her great grandparents were married in in County Donegal. While there she suffered a stroke but refused to let it slow her down. She continued to travel for pleasure with her granddaughter and caretaker, Megan. She ventured to Iowa and Oklahoma to see family and friends and went on adventures to Disneyland and Las Vegas. She also started a new branch of Chase Farms with her daughter by raising world quality Paint and Quarter horses. This venture allowed her to travel to numerous horse shows, including the Paint Youth World Show to watch her great grandsons show. Until her final stroke in early March she enjoyed her weekly trips to her hairdresser and going out on the town.

Joyce is preceded in death by her first husband, Earl G. Hergert, her second husband, Carl F. Chase Jr., and her granddaughter, Amy Kristine Hergert. She is survived by her children Richard W. Hergert, Bryce (Penny) Hergert, Monte (Ty) Hergert, Niel (Marie) Hergert, Earlynn Chase, and stepdaughter Michele (Jim) Connelly. She is also survived by numerous grandchildren and great grand kids.

There will be a memorial service at 4:00 PM Tuesday April 10, 2018 at Zion Lutheran Church in Nampa. In lieu of flowers the family asks you make donations to Zion Lutheran School.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joyce Marie (McCauley) Chase, please visit our floral store.