Joyce Marie Testerman

Joyce Marie Testerman (née Johnson), 82, of Centennial, Colorado, passed away from an arterial aneurysm. She died peacefully in the hospital in the early hours of Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, surrounded by family members.

Joyce was born in Denver, Colorado on October 2, 1943. A blessed but somewhat late surprise to Elmer W. and Lillian M. Johnson (née Nelson). She is survived by her husband Charles, two children and their spouses (Andrew (Gretchen) Testerman, and Paula (James) Card), and four grandchildren (Jason Lockyer, Lillie Lockyer, Jack Testerman and Luke Testerman). She is preceded in death by her sister Donna Johnson in 1946, her brother Elmer W. Johnson Jr. in 2008, her son-in-law Michael Lockyer in 2019, and her sister Lorraine Thulson in 2022.

After graduating from South High School in Denver, Joyce earned a B.A. in English from the University of Colorado in Boulder in 1965. Many of the treasured friendships formed at CU and in her sorority lasted a lifetime.

During college, and at her father’s urging, she began work at National City Bank where she met her future husband. Joyce and Chuck married on August 28, 1965. Their devotion to each other remained steadfast through more than sixty years of marriage. Testing the strength of that devotion was an especially difficult period in the late 1980s and early 1990s when high interest rates, banking deregulation and economic downturns combined to constrict the financial job market. With banking jobs scarce in Colorado and both children in college, Chuck accepted employment in California- a position that lasted seven years; far longer than anticipated. Joyce’s devotion to her family, faith in God and support from family enabled her to endure the strain of that separation.

For Joyce, family was foundational; providing unconditional love, support, and a sense of belonging that shaped her identity. That identity was forged early by her parents and siblings, their Swedish heritage, shared faith and love of Country. She relished family gatherings, especially around the Holidays. Christmas in particular was her favorite time of year. Her collection of Christmas ornaments could decorate every tree in Whoville, with enough in reserve to foil the best efforts of the Grinch. Even minor holidays provided a reason to decorate her home with Hallmark knick-knacks and invite family over to share food, conversation and gifts.

Joyce had a tremendous work ethic and thoroughly enjoyed a successful career that developed quickly after staying home to raise her children into their teens. At that time, she went to work part time as a secretary at Moore Insurance Co. and within five years was promoted to an executive role serving as Vice President. From there she enthusiastically embraced a role with the Littleton Public School District heading the employee benefits and risk management departments. She took pride in accurate, diligent and competent work and ensured that she was an expert in whatever subject her professional role required.

She put the same time, care and attention to detail into her favorite hobby: quilting. She handstitched and gifted nearly every quilt she made, each one created to mark an important milestone in the recipient’s life. Many of those quilts will remain cherished family heirlooms.

Her final years were spent contentedly quilting, reading, and enjoying friends, grandchildren, family gatherings and time with Chuck.