Joyce Ann (Temple) Erkel
ERKEL, TEMPLE, DROGEMUELLER, BENINGA, JONES, AVERHOFF
Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 7/8/2024 at 11:06:17
Joyce Ann (Temple) Erkel died at home on May 14, 2024. The family will host a celebration of life followed by a private interment at Rose Hill Cemetery in Greene, IA.
Joyce was born in Greene, IA, on January 6, 1933, to Walker and Emma (Drogemueller) Temple. An only child, she was her parents’ pride and joy. She attended Greene Public Schools and graduated in 1950. While in elementary school, she contributed to the WWII effort by helping her mother plant a “victory garden,” organizing a neighborhood talent show fundraiser, and gathering aluminum. After graduating high school, she worked in Greene for several years. She was married briefly during this time and had her first son, Mitchell T. Beninga (born November 7, 1957). During the Vietnam War, Joyce’s son Mitch started writing letters to an Iowa soldier named Harold “Pat” Erkel as part of a Cub Scouts program. The two became pen pals until Pat surprised Joyce at her office to thank her for their support upon returning from the war. His opening line was, “Box 141?” It began a wonderful friendship and romance, and they married on August 3, 1968.
They moved to Le Claire, IA, where their son, Kyle M., was born on June 23, 1970. They lived and raised their boys in Le Claire for 22 years before moving to Bettendorf. Joyce worked as an office manager for 28 years for Riverside Industries, Durbin Paper, and Waste Management. She was a meticulous bookkeeper, a loyal employee, and a trusted colleague. After retiring from full-time work, Joyce was a sales associate for Ann’s Hallmark in Bettendorf for 11 years. She also served as President of Post 347, American Legion Auxiliary.
After the boys had grown up, Joyce and Pat enjoyed hosting and forming lifelong connections with four international exchange students from Haiti, Beliz, and Costa Rica who lived with them while attending Eastern Iowa Community Colleges. After retiring, they moved to Iowa City, Iowa. In 2009, they moved in with their son Kyle and his wife and helped to raise their granddaughter, Aissa.
Joyce loved homemaking, meeting new people, going for coffee, finding a good deal, talking sports and debating politics, decorating for holidays, and setting a beautiful table for family dinners. Besides her family, sports were the love of her life. She was a fan of the Cubs, Bears, Bulls, and, most importantly, the Iowa Hawkeyes. She could talk game and player statistics with the best of them and be heard cheering loudly for every broadcast. Most of all, Joyce loved being a mother. She was so proud of her sons Kyle, his military service and becoming a pharmacist, and Mitch, an award-winning sportswriter, and their families. She loved her granddaughter Aissa with the deep love and affection that only a Nana and granddaughter can share.
Joyce is survived by her son Kyle M. (Sherri) of Iowa City; sister-in-law Gretchen (Guy “Jeep”) Jones of Metamora, IL; brother-in-law Robert (Jenny) Erkel of Lynwood, WA; three grandchildren: Aissa Erkel, Michael Beninga, and Jennifer (Matthew) Averhoff; and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, son Mitchell (Linda), and her loving husband of 55 years, Pat, who passed away in December after fighting cancer. The family of Joyce and Pat would like to publicly thank the care team at St. Croix Hospice in Cedar Rapids, and Trail of Johnson County for taking exceptional care of them in their final years. Memorial contributions can be made to Trail of Johnson County: https://trailofjohnsoncounty.kindful.com/ or via check to the 28 S. Linn Street, #301, IC, 52240.
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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