"Todd and all your family - I was so sad to learn of your mother passing. You lived down by my brother David Kyke Ludwig . Your mother was a very good woman - she loved god and her family. May the goodness of your mother comfort you. Joyce Petersen."
In loving memory of
Joyce E. Nielson
June 22, 1938 - October 10, 2017
A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church, Algona. A visitation will be held from 5 to 8 PM on Friday, October 13, 2017, at Oakcrest Funeral Services, Algona.
Joyce Elaine (Durant) Nielson was born on June 22, 1938, in Algona, daughter of Milo and Dorothy (Cook) Durant. Joyce was the third of nine children. She grew up in Algona and attended Algona High School through the 11th grade.
On February 26, 1957, she was united in marriage to Richard H. Nielson in Worthington, Minnesota. The two of them were blessed with five children. Joyce enjoyed being on the farm with Dick.
She worked at Van's Café for a short period of time, and also worked in the fall for Pioneer for 30 years.
Joyce loved being with her family especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed embroidery work and embroidered a pillow for each of her kids and grandkids. Joyce bowled for 48 years, earning many awards. She was an adamant about her cats and hanging her clothes on the line. She was also an avid Iowa Hawkeye basketball fan.
Joyce's family and friends will always remember her for her cooking and baking. Her day to cook and bake was always Saturday. Joyce was dedicated to her Christmas Eve tradition, oyster stew and chili after church. She was also known for her holiday sugar cookies.
Joyce was dedicated to her church. She was baptized in 1939 and confirmed in 1955 at the First Presbyterian Church in Algona, where she was a member for 62 years. Joyce was a Sunday school and Bible School teacher for many years. She was also a lifetime member of the VFW and the American Legion Auxiliary.
Joyce died Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at her home near Lu Verne with family by her side. She was 79.
She is survived by her children, David (Yvonne) Nielson of Lu Verne, Pamela (Mike) Bjornson of Humboldt, Lorie Hendrix of Algona, Todd Nielson of Algona, Christal (Bob) Southwick of Algona; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren anxiously awaiting the birth of her 21st great-grandchild, Ava Elaine; siblings, Stella (Frank) Moden of Des Moines, Jane (Don) McFarland of Des Moines, Kenneth (Joyce) Durant of Algona, Milo (Ruth) Durant Jr. of Algona, John (Sarah) Durant of Rushville, IN; brother-in-law, Donald Kruse; sisters-in-law, Carmen Nielson and Joan Nielson; very special niece, Dawn Kling, and many other nieces, nephews and cousins.
Preceding her in death are her parents; husband, Dick on November 18, 2012, a grandson, Kenny Hendrix; infant sibling, Virginia Durant; brother, Eugene Durant of Mason City; sister, Lynne Durant; sister-in-law, Helen Durant.
Tributes
"OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO EVERYONE!"
"Sorry to hear of your loss. She always had a smile for everyone. Will miss her. Deb McDermott "
"DEEPEST SYMPATHIES TO YOU ALL!! I WILL MISS HER VERY MUCH!! SUCH A WONDERFUL & WITTY WOMAN!! "