Joy Allshouse Berry 1909-2009

ALLSHOUSE, BERRY, WAGNER

Posted By: j.n. (email)
Date: 10/20/2009 at 17:16:40

Telegraph Herald
Dubuque, Iowa
Sunday, October 18, 2009

Joy Allshouse Berry

Joy Allshouse Berry, 100, died Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009, at Luther Manor, Dubuque, on the 100th anniversary of her day of birth.

In keeping with Joy's wishes, there will be no public visitation or funeral service. Joy has requested that "How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place" from Brahms German Requiem be played on a Sunday at St. Luke's United Methodist Church in her memory. Committal services will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, in Linwood Cemetery, 2735 Windsor Ave., Dubuque, at her grave site, where she will be buried by her parents. Pastor Dianne Christopher, of St. Luke's United Methodist Church, will officiate. Family and friends are welcome to attend. The Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home, 2659 Kennedy Road, is in charge of arrangements.

Susan "Joy" Allshouse was born on Oct. 17, 1909, in New Albin, Iowa, daughter of the Rev. Henry Allshouse and Ellen (Wagner) Allshouse. Her father was a Methodist minister and her mother was a homemaker. She resided in many Iowa communities growing up as a PK (preacher's kid) and during her adult years in New Albin, New Hartford, Rudd, Brandon, Whitten, Laurel, Chester (where she graduated from high school), McGregor and Dubuque. She also lived in Hazel Green, Wis., and East Dubuque, Ill. While living in Dubuque, Joy lived at the YWCA, with her parents on Rhomberg Avenue, in Mrs. Revenig's duplex on Farley Street, Keyway Drive, Alverno Apartments on Windsor Avenue and Luther Manor, since December 2005.

Joy was a 1931 graduate of Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, earning a four-year degree in music education. She later attended Bayless Business College in Dubuque, where she worked as a secretary and a teacher. Additional Dubuque employment included General Adjustment Co.; American Trust & Savings Bank, retiring on Dec. 31, 1974, from the position of administering college student loans; and followed by a part-time position at AAA Travel Agency.

During World War II, Joy was a Red Cross volunteer feeding patients at The Finley Hospital in Dubuque.

Joy was a lifelong United Methodist. As a long-time member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Dubuque, she was a member of St. Luke's United Methodist Women, sang alto in the Chancel Choir and was a Sunday School teacher. For two terms, she was Iowa Conference Secretary of the Wesleyan Service Guild, now known as United Methodist Women (UMW). She previously held membership in the Professional Secretary International Organization.

Joy enjoyed traveling within the United States, to England, several trips to Mexico and to the Holy Land, where she saw Pope John Paul II.

Joy read her devotions, Bible and newspaper daily. "Dennis the Menace" was her favorite comic. Music was a lifelong enjoyment. She loved singing her favorite hymns, especially "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," and her favorite anthem, "How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place," which she had sung when attending Cornell College. She was able to recite a large repertoire of poetry. Writing and receiving letters and cards from family and friends and their visits were special to her. She loved to eat anything chocolate and intensely disliked Brussels sprouts.

Joy was quoted at 97 years of age in the Telegraph Herald on July 15, 2007, as she shared her Words of Wisdom that contributed to her longevity: "Don't smoke, and stay away from alcohol. Eat healthy foods. Smile and the world smiles with you. Snore, and you'll sleep alone."

She attended Sunday morning worship and Monday afternoon hymn sing led weekly by Pastor Greg since moving to Luther Manor. Joy enjoyed attending her church's 175th anniversary celebration at St. Luke's United Methodist Church on Nov. 9, 2008.

Surviving are her sister-in-law, Doris Allshouse, of Mosely, Va., several cousins; and many friends, including thoughtful members of her St. Luke's Church family, including Alan and Sue Hattel.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her 3-year-old sister, Lois; and her brother, John R. Allshouse.

Memorials may be given to St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 1199 Main St., Dubuque, IA 52001, and designated to St. Luke's Music/Choir Fund, in Joy's name.

Joy's faith, family and friends were her life's blessings. Appreciation is expressed to Luther Manor nurses and staff for Joy's personal care, religious and spiritual nurturing, delicious meals and wonderful activities, programs and events. Luther Manor was indeed "home" these past four years.