Lora "Joyce" Gotto 1920 - 2013

GOTTO, THOMPSON, GAPEN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/11/2017 at 14:45:25

Lora "Joyce" Gotto, most commonly known as Joyce Gotto, was born on July 9, 1920, to Walter and Nellie (Thompson) Gapen at their rural Oto home. She grew up in the Oto and Smithland area, graduating from Oto high school in 1937. She worked and lived in the Oto area.

On November 27, 1939, Joyce and Henry Adam Gotto were united in marriage. The couple farmed in the Anthon and Oto area. Joyce enjoyed being a homemaker, caring for their four children.

Henry passed away on October 20, 1972. Joyce was a past member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Oto. Currently, she was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Anthon. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She entered the Correctionvillie Nursing and Rehab Center in 2006. To all of Joyce's grand kids she was known and called Granny. She was very talented with her handiwork especially embroidering, which she won many blue ribbons at the Woodbury County Fair. Joyce also had a passion for baking and decorating Christmas cookies with grand kids. Joyce was very musically talented; she loved to sing, play the piano and violin by ear. Her unfulfilled dream was to be a music teacher.

Joyce treasured her time spent with her family members and friends. She loved to share all of her memories of her past. One of her favorite past times was to listen to the local musicians. When ever you would see Joyce she always had on one of her favorite bead necklaces.

The family members left to cherish the memories of Joyce include a daughter, Helen Book of Anthon, IA; two sons, Bill Gotto of Pierson, IA, and Nick Gotto and Tina of Jacksonville, FL; 20 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren; 7 great great grandchildren; and two sisters, Dorthy Pengraph of Eugene, OR, and Marie Piper of Tocoma, WA.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Nellie and Walter Gapen; her husband, Henry Gotto; a son, Bob Gotto; two daughter-in-laws, Reta Yockey and Christy Gotto; a son-in-law, Emmett Book; a granddaughter, Laura Gotto; two grandsons, Billy Joe Book and Danny Book; two sisters, Billie Besore and Lea Pollich.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family in Joyce's name.