Joyce Marie Harger

Joyce Marie Harger, of Sugar Land, Texas passed away at the age of 96 on September 14, 2025. She was born on September 9, 1929, in Sharon, Kansas to Ray and Florence (Bort) Hawley. She and her brothers grew up on the family farm during the Depression. It was a hard time, but it was part of what made her so strong and resilient.

Joyce was a dental assistant when she met Graden Harger, and they were married in 1954 in Austin, Texas. Their marriage lasted 68 years until Graden died in 2022. He was a meteorologist working for the government, and they lived in many states. After Texas came Florida, Tennessee, Maryland, Hawaii, and finally back to Texas in 1979.

Joyce was a loving mother to Kenneth (b. 1955) and Donna (b. 1960), and her stepson Bill (b. 1950). Her family was the main focus of her life, and she never stopped caring for everyone in it. She was always a strong, kind and considerate person who put others before herself, sometimes through difficult times. When she was 53, Joyce lost an arm in an accident. Yet, she never complained about the hardships resulting from this handicap. Instead, she continued with her life as a wife, mother and grandmother almost as if it never happened. She was an inspiration to all who knew and loved her.

Joyce loved gardening. Her backyard always reflected her skill with flowers, especially her favorite—roses. It was a peaceful place to be.

Perhaps the most memorable thing about Joyce was that she truly had a servant’s heart. She always supported her husband, her children, and her grandchildren, in whatever they did. She didn’t try to change people, she just accepted them and sincerely wanted to help them navigate the waters of life. She encouraged those who needed encouragement, and was always there when needed. Along the way, she attended countless baptisms, baseball games, piano recitals, ballet and choir performances, graduations and weddings. And she made the best sage dressing known to man.

Joyce and Graden were faithful believers in Jesus Christ as their Savior, and were members of Sugar Land Baptist Church. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15.

Joyce is survived by her son Kenneth Galen Harger of Rosharon, Texas, daughter Donna Marie Harger of Sugar Land, and stepson William Griffin Harger and his wife Michel Palumbo Harger, also of Sugar Land; grandchildren Jennifer Pappenhagen and her husband David of Pflugerville, Texas, Sarah Gunter and husband Jared of Sugar Land, Angela Thompson and husband Dustin of Laguna Beach, California, John Harger and wife Hannah of Clever, Missouri, and Katherine Harger of San Clemente, California; and great grandchildren Ethan, Grace, Faith, Thomas and Emily Gunter of Sugar Land, Ella Brooke, Lexie, Luke, Katie and Jake Harger of Clever, Missouri, Eleanor Pappenhagen of Pflugerville, Texas, sister-in-law Mary Ann Hawley of Augusta, Kansas, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Graden, parents Ray and Florence Hawley, brother Edgar and his wife Lula, brother Darrel Hawley, daughter-in-law Debbie Harger, grandson Mickey Harger, and still-born sister Emma Jane Hawley.

Burial will be at 10:00 am at Forest Park Westheimer on Monday, October 6, 2025, followed by a memorial service at 12:00 noon at Sugar Land Baptist Church, 16755 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, Texas 77479. If you plan on attending the graveside service, please arrive for procession at Forest Park parking lot by 9:45. Flowers may be delivered to Forest Park Westheimer.