Vigen Memorial Home obituary - Joyce E. Erickson, 84, Keokuk

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Joyce E. Erickson, 84, of Keokuk, IA, died Friday, April 6, 2018 at her home.

She was born on March 20, 1934 at St. Joseph Hospital in Mitchell, SD, the second daughter of Herbert H. and Lydia Schroeder Stahnke. She lived in rural Gilmore, SD until 1936, and then moved to Ricketts, IA where her father was a pastor. In 1941, her family joined her father at Ft. Leavenworth, KS where he was stationed as a chaplain during WW II. She attended seven different grade schools until 1946, when they moved to Villisca, IA, where she attended and graduated from Villisca High School with the Class of 1951.

ERICKSON

After High School she attended Lutheran Hospital of Nursing and graduated in 1954. She began her nursing career at a Veteran’s Hospital in Greeley, CO. She returned to school in 1956 and attended Arizona State University for one semester. She then transferred to the University of Iowa and graduated in 1958 with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

On August 24, 1958, Joyce was united in marriage to Wilbur P.N. Erickson in Villisca, IA. He preceded her in death on January 21, 1987.

Joyce had been a resident of Keokuk for fifty years. In 1972, she began working for the Visiting Nurse Association, which became Keokuk Area Hospital Health Care. She retired in 1997.

Joyce was a member of the First Lutheran Church of Keokuk and WELCA.

Joyce loved to read about history, play bingo at Hy-Vee and quilt with the Quilting Circle at the church. She also enjoyed traveling and one of her favorite trips was to Italy.

She is survived by one son, Paul Erickson (Mary) of Garland, TX, two daughters, Denise Davis (John Washburn) of Keokuk, and Linda Pohorsky (Brent) of Fate, TX, four grandchildren, Joseph Davis, McKenzy Pohorsky, Steven Pohorsky and Hunter Christy, two great- grandchildren, Killian Davis and Kalani Whalen and one great-grandchild on the way, one sister, Candus Zambone (Al) of Bridgeton, NJ and her best friend, Linda Saltzgaver of Keokuk.

Besides her husband, she was also preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Ruth Detert.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday at the First Lutheran Church in Keokuk with Pastor Rodney Underwood officiating. Burial will be in the Oakland Cemetery in Keokuk.

Visitation will be held after 1 p.m., Tuesday at the Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk with the family meeting with friends from 6 – 8 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the First Lutheran Church or Donor’s Choice.

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