Joyce Elaine Riley, 86, passed away January 16, 2021 at her home in Hugo, CO. Joyce, the third of six children, was born July 4, 1934 in Hugo to parents George and Alta (Simmons) Dutro. She spent her formative years on the family ranch near Karval, CO, and attended Prairie Grove school and Hugo High School, graduating as valedictorian.
After a year in college, she married Donald William Riley on May 15, 1953. They had four children: David, Charles, Linda and Ronald. The family lived in the Oregon area for a time, then returned to Hugo to buy the Hugo Trading Post, which they renamed Riley’s Market. Joyce ran the store until it closed. She then worked for Kay’s Korner Store before retiring to focus on her volunteer work and hobbies. She also helped Don with chores on their ranch and other properties. Joyce volunteered for a multitude of causes, including the Lincoln County Democrats and food distribution, but she was most active in the VFW Joe Will Post #6612 Women’s Auxiliary, celebrating 67 years of service in 2020. In her free time she enjoyed hunting arrowheads, gardening, reading, playing solitaire, gambling and working puzzles. She also liked to collect Avon products.
Joyce’s motto was “One Day at a Time.” Doctors told her that she was “a miracle” after she survived ovarian cancer in a time when cancer survival rates were much lower than they are today. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, George and Alta Dutro; two sisters, Lorita Forristall and Gloria Potter; and her husband of 65 years, Donald Riley. She is survived by her son David Riley of Hugo, CO; son Charles (Rebecca) Riley of Phoenix, AZ; daughter Linda Blevins of Hugo, CO; son Ronald Riley of Canon City, CO; grandchildren Lani Blevins of Hugo, CO, Benjamin Blevins (Tara) of Dundee, MI, Brandon Riley (Sheena) of Pueblo West, CO, Jessica Riley of Fountain, CO, Christopher Riley of Clinton, MO, Robert Riley of Phoenix, AZ and John Riley of Phoenix, AZ, as well as six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Barbara (Al) Taylor of Centennial, CO, and brothers Claud (Karen) Dutro of Denver, CO and Richard (Diane) Dutro of Parker, CO, as well as numerous other relatives. Burial will be held graveside at Evergreen Cemetery in Hugo at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the VFW Joe Will Post #6612 Women’s Auxiliary or donor’s choice.
