Strand, Joyce Ann (Lien) 1934 - 2024

STRAND, LIEN, FOLDEN, SCHULTE, STERLING, BERRIE, WEBER, STONE, PRIVITERA, RIKER, KENNEDY

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 2/9/2024 at 10:40:43

Joyce Ann (Lien) Strand (Feb. 21, 1934 - Feb. 2, 2024) passed peacefully in her home surrounded by her family.

Joyce grew up in Clear Lake, IA, the daughter of Andreas and Sigrid (Folden) Lien. She was one of eight children in her family: Jane Schulte, Bill, Sterling (Pinky), Shirley Berrie, Nancy Weber, George and Mike Lien. She graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1952, where she was active as head cheerleader, valedictorian, a student council officer, homecoming queen, glee club member and pep club treasurer. Joyce sang in her church choir every Sunday as she was growing up.

She graduated from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Rochester, MN (Mayo Clinic), as a licensed RN. She met her husband, Paul David Strand (dec. 1981), and they married on Oct. 23, 1955. Joyce worked at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines as a surgical nurse, before moving to Decorah, IA, where she joined a local family physicians practice.

Joyce managed three farms in Winneshiek Co., and prepared tax returns for Paul’s law office, all while raising five children: Sita Stone (Doug), David, Dina Privitera (Steve), Kristi Riker, and Danette Kennedy. She returned to college after Paul’s death in 1981 and graduated from Cornell College with a finance degree.

Joyce lived her life for her family. She exemplified incredible courage, perseverance, and love as an amazing wife, loving mother, and wonderful grandmother. Affectionately called “Grammy” and “GJ”, she devoted her time and energy to others. Her five children, fourteen grandchildren (Kalani, Paul, Garret, Savannah, Hope, Kelsey, Ali, Andy, LewElla, Paul, Emma, Harrison, Cash, and Joyce), and six great grandchildren, gave her love, joy, and purpose each day. She was an expert seamstress, cook, baker and gardener. She loved books and shared her love of reading with her grandchildren with regular visits to the public library.

She leaves behind her beautiful quilts, each individually hand-made for her family. And most importantly, she leaves a legacy of kindness, laughter, and love, that will live forever through her adoring and grateful family.

The family is planning a private family burial service later in the year. As a beautiful and fitting way to honor and celebrate Joyce’s life, the family invites you to send a memorial donation in honor of Joyce Strand to either the Waukee Public Library Friends Foundation, by visiting their website https://wplff.org/donate/, or, you may donate to the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, by visiting their website https://vesterheim.org/donate/, as Joyce’s Norwegian heritage was such a treasured part of who she was and how she lived her life. Condolences may be sent to the Strand Family, 75 Aidan Street, Waukee, IA, 50263.

Source: Helms Funeral Home database