Olson, Joyce Elaine (1950 - 2024)

OLSON, KEUTER, SEUFERT, ADKINS, TORGERSON, LAUBSCHER

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 11/12/2024 at 18:58:37

Name of deceased: Joyce Elaine Olson

Aged: 74 yrs, 2 mo, 22 days

Residence: Azria Health Rose Vista Nursing Home, Woodbine, IA

Born: July 5, 1950; Dunlap, Harrison & Crawford Counties, IA

Died: Sep. 27, 2024; Azria Health Rose Vista Nursing Home, Woodbine, Harrison County, IA

Funeral services: Friday, Oct. 18, 2024; Fouts Funeral Home, Dunlap, IA

Survived by: Sister, Marie (Keuter) (Seufert) Adkins; sister-in-law, Phyllis (Torgerson) Keuter; nieces; nephews; host family, Chris, Paula and Cady Gibbons; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Virgil Maurice and Esther Margaret (nee Laubscher) (Keuter) Olson; brother, John ‘Jack’ Keuter

Education: Joyce’s early education happened with private classes funded by her parents and other donations at the Turin Public School, later named the Sun Valley School. Even having learning disabilities, she learned to read and write at a 3rd/4th grade level and to perform math tasks at a 2nd/3rd grade level.

Religious affiliation: Baptized on March 5, 1956 at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Dunlap, IA

Military service: n/a

Marriage: n/a

Employment: In 1975, Joyce began attending work activity services at WECSO Industries, a non-profit, community service provider that supports individuals with disabilities. In 1981, she moved to REM Leadway, which offered community living options for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Shelby, IA. There, she participated in academics, ceramics and woodshop. Joyce preferred her time in the “Bummers” program, which was a preretirement activity. She enjoyed being “retired.” Joyce then lived in several HCBS Waiver apartments in Shelby, IA, before moving to Council Bluffs, IA and living with her host family before finally moving into Rose Vista Nursing Home in Woodbine, IA.

Hobbies/Interests: Joyce attended summer camps often, starting with the camp sponsored by Crossroads of Western Iowa in Onawa, IA, and she always looked forward to camp activities. She loved to travel with her mother and was able to vacation in Florida, Arizona and South Dakota. Holidays were important to her and her July 5th birthday was usually celebrated with everyone on July 4. Joyce had unusual talents: She was able to cite the birthdates of all the family members, and could play the accordion and piano by ear, never having had a lesson. She enjoyed volunteering at the community meal site in Harlan where her usual job was setting out the salt and pepper shakers. She liked to color and enjoyed swiping on the iPad for games.

Sources: foutsfuneralhome.com