Joyce Anderson

Joyce A. Anderson, 84 of Waukon IA, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Funeral Service will be held Saturday, March 23rd, at 11:30 AM at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waukon with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating. Burial will be at the church cemetery. Friends may greet the family from 10:00 AM until the time of services Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Veterans Memorial Hospital or Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church, both in Waukon. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon in handling the arrangements.

Joyce Ann Anderson was born in Sumner, IA, on September 12, 1939, to Earl and La Vera (Buhr) Gitch. She was raised on the family farm near Fredericksburg, IA. Joyce attended country school and graduated from Fredericksburg High School in 1955. On October 25, 1958, she married Curtis Anderson and they made their home near Fredericksburg. Joyce worked at the local nursing home and cleaned houses, while Curtis held different jobs in the dairy industry.

On March 1, 1967, Joyce and Curtis moved to a dairy farm near Oelwein, IA, which they rented. Joyce took on the responsibility of feeding the calves and helped Curtis wherever she was needed. On March 1, 1977, they purchased a dairy farm near Waterville, IA. Joyce stayed busy tending to her big yard and many flowers and preparing homemade meals for her family and farm help. In October 2013, they moved to Waukon. Joyce continued to enjoy visiting the farm and doing yardwork.

Family was the center of Joyce's life. She loved being able to see her son every day while working on the farm. When her grandchildren came into her life, she loved the time she shared with them, from attending every activity they were involved in to simply having them spend the day with her at the farm. She always spoke of how proud she was of them. After moving to town, another special memory for Joyce was the bond with her young neighbor girl, Abby.

Joyce was always busy, willing to help anyone in need. She often would share her baked goods with others, especially her angel food cake. For years Joyce happily provided transportation to Sunday church for several women in the community.

She is survived by her husband Curtis of Waukon; son Bruce (Lynn) Anderson of Waterville; grandchildren: Jennie (Jared) Torkelson of Mankato MN, and Ian (Marissa) Anderson of Waukon; a great-grandchild Tate Anderson; siblings: Dennis Gitch, Julie (Rick) Lampe of Ogden, IA, and Gary (Kathy) Gitch of Asheville, NC; along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents and brother Allen Gitch.

Honorary casket bearers are Joann Aubrey, Don and Joyce Bakke, Arlyn and Lois Fossum, and Theresa Lyons. Casket bearers are Ian Anderson, Jared Torkelson, Nathan and Nick Lampe, Jack Gitch, Kevin Fossum, Brad Krambeer, and Jamie Lier.