"Many fond memories of this GREAT lady. We will miss her. She was truly an inspiritation to many. "
In loving memory of
Joy Boyken
July 31, 1940 - September 6, 2019
Funeral services for Joy was held on Saturday, 14 September 2019 at Good Hope Lutheran Church in Titonka. Burial was in Good Hope Lutheran Cemetery, Titonka.
Joy Tjaden was born 31 July 1940 at the Tjaden farm in rural Titonka. She was the 5th child of Stephen and Flora (Bruns) Tjaden. Joy was baptized into the Christian Faith on 15 September 1940 at Good Hope Lutheran Church and was confirmed on 03 April 1955 at Good Hope Lutheran Church.
Joy attended Ramsey Township # 7 school through 3rd grade and when that school closed, attended Titonka Consolidated School where she was involved in may school activities. She graduated from Titonka Consolidated High School in May of 1958. She then attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota where she graduated with a BA degree in May of 1962. Upon graduation from college, she entered the teaching profession and taught in the public schools at Wapato, Washington and Portland, Oregon. She then taught in the Department of Defense Schools in Bremerhaven and Ramstein, Germany and while in Germany, traveled extensively throughout Europe. Upon returning to the states, she taught in public schools in Wapato, Washington, Manchester & Grinnell, Iowa. While teaching, Joy became an avid skier, skiing in the mountains of the western U.S as well as in Alps in Europe. She also became a proficient golfer.
Joy married Allan Boyken on 13 June 1968 at Good Hope Lutheran Church and they lived in Marshalltown, Iowa for about 5 years. While in Marshalltown, she joined Elim Lutheran Church. In 1973, she moved back to Titonka with her family and rejoined Good Hope Lutheran Church. To this union, 3 sons were born. Joy was a dedicated and caring mother raising her 3 sons.
Joy served 21 years on the Titonka Consolidated School School Board. She also became interested in woodcarving, organized various woodcarving classes, organized the Titonka Woodcarvers Guild and also organized the Waldorf Woodcarving Seminars which ran for 17 years. In addition, she was active in various community and church activities.
Joy was an outgoing, optimistic person. She stayed active in spite of living with Multiple Sclerosis for over 40 years. In addition, she lived with and battled Multiple Myeloma for 12 years. She died on 06 September 2019 at the Titonka Care Center after a two week stay there.
Joy is survived by her husband Allan of 51 years, her sons Aaron, Marshall (Miya) and Lucas (Sheri), her 8 grandchildren, her brother, Dr. Herbert (Alice) Tjaden, her sister Lorna (Karl) Tjaden and her sister-in-law Barbara Tjaden and by a host of nephews and nieces. She is also survived by brothers-in-law Dr. Mark (Barb) Boyken, Karl (Diane) Boyken and Quentin (Inez) Boyken and by sister-in-law Carolyn Boyken.
Joy was preceded in death by her sister Marjorie Rand, her brother William Tjaden, daughter-in-law Jennifer Boyken and brother-in-law Jeffrey Boyken.
Joy always expressed appreciation for all of the prayers and support she received from her family, community and friends and was often heard to say during her illness that she could feel the power of prayer. She was also appreciative of the wonderful care she received from Mayo Clinic over the years.
She expressed the wish that any memorials be given to the Titonka Care Center Generator Fund, Good Hope Lutheran Church in Titonka, The Gift of Life Transplant House in Rochester, Minnesota or the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
The family would like to thank you for your many acts of kindness and expressions of sympathy and invite you to a time of fellowship following the church service.
Tributes
"Our deepest sympathy to the Boyken Family. Always remember working with Joy on the The Nordic Dinner.!"
"Our Deepest Sympathy to the Boyken Family. Many memories of Joy. Especially working with her on The Nordic Dinners."
"Our deepest sympathy to The Boyken Family. A lot of good memories of joy. Especially working with her on The Nordic Dinners in December."
"Joy spent many years volunteering during the Trees for Threes program held each April at Smith Lake. She shared her knowledge and love of wood carving with the third graders and shared stories about her work to spark their interest. Her contribution will not be forgotten by the Kossuth Soil & Water Conservation District."
"Prayers to the family-sorry for your loss-"
"So many memories of Joy growing up - such a stoic, strong woman. A pillar to our community, church, and school system. I am lucky enough to have a couple of her wood carving pieces, passed down from my parents, that I have always considered a prized possession. Treasure your memories ?. Denise (Lee) Rossmiller"
"I will never forget when our family went to Washington DC in April of 2001 with Joy and Allan. We toured many places and wherever we went, Joy always was holding one of our kid's hands and Allan had the other kid's hand. Our kids were 8 1/2 and almost 5 1/2 and every time Joy or Allan would tell them something about the history of a monument they would listen to every word they said. One of the great memories we will always treasure! Our sympathy to Allan, Aaron, Marshall, Lucas and their families as they mourn the loss of a their wife and mother! Joy was a wonderful person and we will miss her. "
"Loved this lady... she was so important to so many woodcarvers......Bruce and Karen Meurer"
"The battle is over and you have earned your angel wings. Much love. Shelly and Claude Bilsborough"