Knutson, Joyce Marie Vauthrin (1929-2022)

KNUTSON, VAUTHRIN, OLER, LESYSHEN

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 3/10/2023 at 09:49:52

South Hamilton Record News, Jewell, Iowa, September 7, 2022/Iowa Cremation website

Joyce Marie Vauthrin Knutson passed away on Sunday, September 4 at Zearing Health Care Center. She was born on February 6, 1929 in rural Melbourne, Iowa to Horace L. and Alma (Oler) Vauthrin. Attending school in Melbourne, she was active in basketball, vocal music and played clarinet in three town bands. She graduated from Melbourne High School in 1946, continued playing basketball and worked at Ford Hopkins Drug Store in Marshalltown until she turned 18. At that time, she entered nursing school at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines graduating in 1950. She was married to Mike (Milo) Knutson on Dec. 28, 1952 in Melbourne, Iowa.

Joyce and Mike moved to the Knutson family farm near Ellsworth in 1956 where they raised sons, Lynn and Jeff. Joyce worked as a nurse for more than 50 years; 7 years as a surgical nurse in both California and Iowa, 20 years as county school nurse serving eight schools in Hamilton County and as school nurse at South Hamilton CSD, and 23 years at Bethany Manor in Story City.

Joyce was active in her church where she was a Sunday school teacher, leader for Luther League and sang in the choir. She was active in the community as well, organizing and leading the Future Nurse Club in Webster City and at South Hamilton. She was a Girl Scout leader in Webster City and Boy Scout leader in Ellsworth. For many years she was chair of the local blood drive, served on the election board and was a member of the Advance Club. At home on the farm she enjoyed knitting, embroidery, playing solitaire and working word puzzles. She also enjoyed watching weekend ball games with her cat, Mister.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband Mike and brother Neil Vauthrin. She will be missed by her family Lynn (Joyce) and Jeff (Jane), grandchildren Amy (Luke) Lesyshen and Troy (Jessica) Knutson, and great grandchildren Colin, Alyssa and Braden. Joyce is also survived by sister-in-law Jan Vauthrin, nephew Jeremy, niece Jill and their families.