Joy Lee Whisenant Langenfeld, 83, of Burns, passed away Sept. 24, 2025. She slipped away from us peacefully after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. 

Joy was born near Hot Springs, Ark., to Mr. and Mrs. Auston Glen and Opal Sutton Kea on Sept. 3, 1942. She had an older sister Virginia. Her parents divorced and Opal later married Curtis Whisenant and Joy took the Whisenant name. In 1947 her brother, Billy Ray, was born.

Joy grew up and spent most of her young life in Myrtle Creek, Ore. In 1961 she graduated from Myrtle Creek High School and then joined the US Air Force.  She worked as a typist, switchboard operator and receptionist in Texas, Nebraska, and Wiesbaden, Germany. While in Germany she participated in a beauty contest and was runner-up to the title “Miss America”. This was an annual contest that contributed to charity. She was honorably discharged in September of 1964. She then attended school and became a Cosmetology Therapist. In 1972 Joy attended Umpqua Community College for a spring term. In 1973 she was trained to work at the State of Oregon Employment Division in Roseburg. She worked at the Employment Department for the State of Oregon until 2015. Retiring at the age of 72.

In 1973, She met Joseph William Langenfeld Sr., the love of her life, at the Orbit Motel outside of Burns. Joy worked as a bookkeeper for the motel and the Nite Owl Cafe. They married on March 15, 1974 in Reno, Nevada. 

On July 4, 1977, they were blessed to welcome into the world two children, a set of twins, first was Joseph (Bill) William Langenfeld II, and a few minutes later Michelle (Chelle) Lynn Langenfeld Arnold.

Joy truly lived and loved life. She had an amazing sense of humor. She loved and respected people no matter their station in life.  Joy spent many hours working but always made time for family and friends. She put her family first and loved them deeply. She never did anything half way. She was an amazing cook, enjoyed knitting, macrame, and loved her cows. Her dream was to own cows. She was there to take care of the calves, and was there night and day to run the ranch. 

Joy is survived by children, Bill (Ann) Langenfeld and Chelle (Joe) Arnold. Her grandchildren, Katy (Tyler) Northey, Wyatt Langenfeld and Shania Ryder, Morgan Langenfeld, Derek Taylor, Alayna Taylor (Noah) Mort; one great-granddaughter Ella Mort, and Corey Taylor. 

Joy was preceded in death by her husband, Joe, on May 23, 2022.  Her Memorial Service and Graveside service will be held at a later date.