Vigen Memorial Home obituary - Joyce Mary Klann, 90, formerly of Keokuk

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Joyce Mary (Scott) Klann, 90, of Muscatine, moved to her heavenly home on May 30, 2019.

KLANN

She was born Jan. 17, 1929, to Noel Scott and Dona Proctor Scott in Mountain Grove, MO. She was always a Missouri “show me” kind of gal. She graduated from Mountain Grove High School in 1947 and from Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, MO, with a teaching degree. She moved to Keokuk, IA to teach, mostly because she said Iowa paid its teachers more. She taught second grade at Lincoln School.

     She would frequently walk to the Cozy Corner on her lunch break. One of the older, mentor teachers who lived next door to the Cozy Corner, advised her to “try and snag a date with Dick Klann.” Dick and his mother owned the Cozy Corner. Dick had a full-time job at Hubinger’s, but he was in charge of cranking all the homemade ice cream on Saturdays while his mom cooked and managed the place. He was at the Cozy Corner when she was there for lunch one day, and asked if he could give her a ride back to school. She accepted. They went to dinner in Quincy that weekend and forever after. 

     She married Richard “Dick” Klann on Aug. 1, 1952. They spent six years with no sounds of little feet in their home. The doctor advised her to quit teaching, relax, and see if she got pregnant. She did. Ann was born in 1959, followed by Scott in 1962.

     She was a substitute teacher for many years in the Keokuk Community School District. Always a champion of children, Joyce taught in the Keokuk Community Preschool the last 12 years of her career. She was telling funny stories about the preschoolers up until the last few years of her life. She never forgot Jenny Renard belting out Rhinestone Cowboyevery day as she burst through the door. Her Christmas tree was loaded with ornaments given to her by the preschoolers. 

    After Dick died in 1993, she returned to Springfield, MO. Four years later, she married her high school sweetheart, John Alderson. They lived in Springfield and shared their lives for 10 years before John passed.

      Joyce courageously moved to Muscatine at the age of 83 to live with her daughter.

    Her hobbies were sewing, growing roses, playing bridge and baking caramel rolls about every week. A group of couples in Keokuk started what they called Card Club, evolving into Supper Club as they got older.

     Those left to celebrate her life are her daughter, Ann Phillips of Muscatine, Scott Klann of Kansas City, Mo., and four grandchildren, Katie Phillips of Muscatine and Dylan, Brendan and Nicole Klann of Kansas City.

     She was preceded in death by both husbands, two sisters, her parents and a son-in-law.

     A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 11 at the Keokuk National Cemetery with Chaplain Diane Gunsolley officiating.  

     Memorials may be made to the Keokuk Community Preschool.

    The Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk is assisting the family with arrangements.  On-line condolences may be sent to the family at www.vigenmemoiralhome.com.

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