Elnora Mae JOYCE

Our Mom, grandmother and ggma, Elnora Joyce, went to her heavenly Father on December 28, 2017, at Brookdale West County in Ballwin, Missouri at the age of 94. Born Elnora Mae Taylor, she grew up on a farm outside Clinton, Missouri with her parents Bryan and Glenna Prewitt Taylor and brother Howard. After attending a one-room school she completed her education at Clinton High School. While in high school, Mom met the love of her life, Wayne W. Joyce, a star player on the high school basketball team. Plans for a wedding were delayed while Wayne and Howard went off to Europe to war. Elnora and her future sister-in law Vera Wood went to Kansas City to work as part of the war effort where Mom worked in the maintenance department of Trans World Airlines. After impatiently waiting for dad’s return, they were married on June 30,1945, to begin a life together that lasted 58 years. After the war Wayne and Howard opened a gas station on 40 Highway in Kansas City. Mom and Vera pitched in creating a spectacular flower garden that included the Conoco logo in the grass area in front of the service station. She and Dad were very involved with the Blue Ridge Boulevard Christian Church singing in the choir and active in fellowship programs. Two children were born, a son Terry, and a daughter Claudia. In 1957 Wayne’s brother Alton approached them about opening a NAPA auto parts store. After research they decided to move to Red Oak, Iowa and opened Joyce Brothers Auto Supply which would eventually grow to four stores in Red Oak, Shenandoah, Clarinda and Griswold over the next 25 years. In an interesting quirk of fate they took a wrong turn coming to town the first time and drove down a gravel road in a cornfield that later became Eastern Avenue, site of their home for nearly 50 years. Mom spent numerous hours supporting the business; delivering parts, cleaning the store and helping with inventories. Once again they became very active in their church, initially at the First Christian Church in Red Oak and later at Fellowship Church in Oakland, Iowa, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school classes and supporting outreach activities. Faith in the Lord was a central part of their lives. She was a loving and involved mother, taking her daughter to swimming meets and helping her son on his paper routes (though only when it was VERY cold). The support for water activities is notable as she did not like water. She often said that if she died from drowning it would be a suspicious death as she would never be in the water willingly. Elnora loved animals and gardening. She owned a number of horses over the years and was still riding at 70 years old. Known for her gardening skills both around the home and in Red Oak, she worked with a number of groups to beautify the town. Her home nearly always had a dog and often at least one cat. Her love of animals was seconded only by her legendary love of ice cream. She would have it for every meal if given the chance. Although partial to strawberry, she wasn’t too picky about the flavor as long as it was ice cream. Wayne passed away in 2003 and Elnora continued to live in Red Oak for another four years. Still active in her 80’s she could be seen out shoveling snow from her drive. In 2007 she sold the house and moved to a condo in Grafton, Wisconsin to be near her son, Terry, enjoying five years of good health until she needed more assistance. She then moved to the St. Louis, Missouri area to enter assisted living near her daughter Claudia and Richard Trebelhorn. Claudia passed away in 2016 after a long battle with cancer. Mom was a strong woman as is true for most of the women in her family. In addition to raising two children and working at the stores, she would participate in school and community activities and assist in the care of ill family members that at times called for extensive time away from Red Oak. She was a great support to Dad during his times of need. Elnora is survived by her son Terry and his wife Teresa Joyce of Clinton, Wa.; son-in-law Richard Trebelhorn of Chesterfield, Mo.; grandchildren Daniel Joyce and Katie of Everett, Wa.; Angie Markovich and Stan of O’Fallon, Mo.; Eileen Joyce of Emigsville, Pa.; Bryan Trebelhorn and Jennie of Wheaton, Ill., six great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband Wayne, brother Howard Taylor, sister-in-law Vera Taylor, and daughter Claudia Jean Trebelhorn. Elnora will be missed by all who knew her but they will remember her love of life and the scripture. Her one great goal was to be reunited with Wayne and Claudia in heaven. Although we miss her deeply we take solace that they are all walking in the sunlight of our Lord. A Memorial graveside service will be held in Red Oak, Iowa in the spring. Donations in her memory can be sent to: World Vision P.O. Box 9716 Federal Way, WA 98063

Elnora Mae JOYCE

February 14, 1923 - December 28, 2017