Lanell Joy Martin of Wolf Point, MT was born on March 4, 1938 to parents John and Josephine Stafne (Hancock). She was 80 years old.
She graduated from Flandreau High School and was an adventurous young lady, who jumped on a train and traveled to see some of the country. She traveled to Philadelphia, New York, and places in between.
She decided to continue her education and enrolled in college in Los Angeles; graduating on the campus of U.C.L.A. with a degree as a Dental Technician. After graduating she went to work in Neah Bay, Washington. There she met and married Del Balch, from his union she had 4 children. Later they divorced and she met and married Robert Martin. He loved Joy’s children and they lived and worked in Wolf Point until his death. She continued working and retired after 40+ years with the I.H.S. She enjoyed her retirement years in Wolf Point; going to the Silver Wolf Casino to play bingo, machines, and visiting with her many friends. She looked forward to Saturday’s in the summer when her and daughter, Patricia would go to garage sales. She loved traveling with her daughter, Dobis and Tyrone and Kendra to many places. She was always a very graceful lady and was happiest when all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren would go to Grandma Joys at Thanksgiving and Christmas. We will miss her very much!
Joy was preceded in death by her mother and father; her husband, Robert Martin; her daughter, Donna; sisters, JoAnne Pipe, and Marie Espinoza; and brother, Gary Medicine Cloud Sr.
She is survived by her brother, A.T. Stafne; children, Patricia (Henri) Headdress of Wolf Point; Dwain Balch of Wolf Point; and Deborah (Tyrone) Ricker of Poplar; 6 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
A prayer service and time of sharing will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 21, 2019 at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 22, 2019 at the New Community Hall in Wolf Point. Interment will follow at the King Memorial Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements and condolences for the family may be left using the form below.