Joyce Solyntjes (1934-2020)

SOLYNTJES, PITSCHKA

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 11/18/2020 at 12:02:54

Joyce Solyntjes
June 10, 1934 - November 11, 2020

Joyce Solyntjes, 86, of Cedar Rapids, died Wednesday, November 11, 2020 at Keystone Cedars. As per the family’s wishes, private Celebration of Life services will be held. Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids are in charge of arrangements.

Joyce was born June 10, 1934, in St Cloud, Minnesota, the daughter of Ernest and Irene Pitschka. After graduating, she became a nurse, then married Donald R. Solyntjes on November 9, 1953. They owned a grocery store in Waterville, Minnesota, where Kathy, Craig, and Scott were born. The store got totaled in an accident and Don took a job at Quaker Oats so they moved to Watertown, South Dakota. They enjoyed helping others and became foster parents to multiple children. They moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa where Lynn was born. They then moved to Apple Valley, Minnesota. He retired and they set their sights on traveling the country in an RV until settling down at Texas Trails in Pharr, Texas. While at Texas Trails, once again they were big into the community. They took over running the 'Giving tree' where they collected donations and handcrafted items, as well and Joyce hand-making stockings, to distribute to the needy. Joyce enjoyed sewing, knitting, and quilting. She had won awards at county fairs, made quilts for her children and grandchildren, and even made some to be raffled off for charity. She also enjoyed singing, She caroled at Christmas and participated in the church choir. She was also a tutor and volunteered at the Ronald McDonald house. Joyce was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and then moved to the Keystone Cedars in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she enjoyed the rest of her life. Joyce never met a stranger...just try going to a store with her and expect to get out quickly.

Joyce is survived by her four children: Kathy (John) Westlund, Craig (Diana) Solyntjes, Scott Solyntjes,and Lynn (Paul) Braun. She was also blessed by having multiple grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Ernie and her husband Donald Solyntjes of Waterville. Minnesota, who passed away on April 3, 2004.

Memorials may be directed to Alzheimer's Association.