Joyce Anderson
Joyce A. Anderson, 84, of Waukon passed away peacefully Monday, March 18, 2024, at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. Funeral Service was held Saturday, March 23 at 11:30 a.m. at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waukon with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating. Burial was at the church cemetery.
Please send memorials to Veterans Memorial Hospital or Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church, both in Waukon. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled the arrangements.
Joyce Ann Anderson was born in Sumner September 12, 1939, to Earl and La Vera (Buhr) Gitch. She was raised on the family farm near Fredericksburg. Joyce attended country school and graduated from Fredericksburg High School in 1955.
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.
March 1, 1967, Joyce and Curtis moved to a dairy farm near Oelwein which they rented. Joyce took on the responsibility of feeding the calves and helped Curtis wherever she was needed. March 1, 1977, they purchased a dairy farm near Waterville. 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 she had 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; her son, Bruce (Lynn) Anderson of Waterville; her grandchildren, Jennie (Jared) Torkelson of Mankato MN and Ian (Marissa) Anderson of Waukon; a great-grandchild, Tate Anderson; her siblings, Dennis Gitch, Julie (Rick) Lampe of Ogden and Gary (Kathy) Gitch of Asheville, NC; along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Allen Gitch.
Honorary casket bearers were Joann Aubrey, Don and Joyce Bakke, Arlyn and Lois Fossum, and Theresa Lyons. Casket bearers were Ian Anderson, Jared Torkelson, Nathan and Nick Lampe, Jack Gitch, Kevin Fossum, Brad Krambeer and Jamie Lier.
Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
