Joyce Hanson

Joyce J. Hanson, 95, of Waukon, IA, died peacefully Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Memorial services will be held Monday, October 28th, at 11:00 AM at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waukon with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating and burial at the church cemetery. Friends may greet the family from 9:00 AM until the time of services on Monday at the church. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Old West Paint Creek general fund.

Joyce Joan Hanson was born February 15, 1929, in Union Prairie Township, Waukon, IA, the daughter of Alfred and Esther (Sanderman) Snitker. She was baptized and confirmed at Salem United Church of Christ in Waukon, graduated from Waukon High School, and received her teaching certificates from the La Crosse teaching college. For a couple of years, Joyce taught at area country schools before working as a dental assistant, starting in 1950. She met a young military man at the Waukon Soda Grill; Joyce married Arden Irvin Hanson on June 28, 1955, at Salem UCC. For about five years, they lived and raised their family in Waterloo, IA; in 1960, they moved back to Waukon, dairy farming in Paint Creek Township.

Family was very important to her and she was a dedicated homemaker, ensuring that her home was welcoming to everyone. With her green thumb, Joyce maintained a large garden, growing a variety of vegetables and flowers, and canning everything from meat to sauerkraut, pickles, and other produce. She was also great at baking, cooking, and sewing. After they sold the farm in 1983, Joyce and Arden moved into Waukon and she worked as a cook at Veterans Memorial Hospital and then Makee Manor, retiring in 2001.

Joyce was known as the "go to" person when you needed to get something done, capable of doing the work of several people by herself. An active member at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church, Joyce taught Sunday school and was on the Magdalene Circle and other committees. She also belonged to the VFW Auxiliary, was a 4H leader, and was a dedicated fan of the Waukon Indians and her grandchildren's sports and activities. Joyce also cheered for the Green Bay Packers, Iowa Hawkeyes, and Indiana Fever. After retiring, she was an avid reader, and enjoyed fishing and traveling to Arizona and Nebraska to see family.

She is survived by her six children: Karen (Bill) Regan of Lansing, IA, Beverly Krambeer of Waukon, Steven (Pat) Hanson of Johnston, IA, Dave (Barb) Hanson of Waukon, and Deb (Bart) Lodge and Lisa (Jeff) Kelm, both of Clarksville, IA; 10 grandchildren: Kayla (Trevor) Vance, Kristy (Adam) Anderson, Patrick Hanson, Bo (Krista) Lodge, Brooke Lodge (Nile Lineau), Michael (Amanda) Krambeer, Carmen Kelm, Carly Trausch, Carissa (Nick) Dugger, and Carter (Taylor) Kelm; 13 great-grandchildren; and her sister Phyllis (Ozzie) Quandahl of Waukon.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; husband Arden in 2017; infant granddaughter Tara Lodge; son-in-law Brad Krambeer; and her brother Howard (Viola) Snitker.

Honorary urnbearers are the residents and staff at Evergreen Court. Joyce's sons Steven and Dave will serve as urnbearers.