Joyce Anne Simmons, 75, of DeWitt, Iowa, passed away at home, surrounded by her loving family, on Tuesday, August 21, 2018. A funeral service will be held at 12 pm on Friday, August 24, at Lemke Funeral Homes – South Chapel (2610 Manufacturing Drive). A visitation will occur two hours prior to the funeral service on Friday from 10 am until the time of service at the Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Brent, Matt, Jeremy, Jason and Steven. Burial will take place at Clinton Lawn Cemetery. Lemke Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements.

Joyce was born November 6, 1942, in Clinton, Iowa the daughter of Kenneth and Marian (Wilma) Berner. She was a graduate of Calamus High School. Joyce was united in marriage to Donald Eugene Simmons on December 15, 1973 – forever soulmates.

Joyce was a life-long member of Elvira Zion Lutheran Church.

Early in life Joyce worked for the DeWitt Telephone Company and was also a waitress for several restaurants in town. Later on, Joyce was a stay at home loving mother, grandmother and always a dedicated and loving wife. She often spoke that she always knew she would be a mother but it was her destiny to be a grandmother.

Joyce enjoyed being out in the sun, especially gardening and working with her flowers. She enjoyed going to McDonald’s, in DeWitt, and socializing with family and friends following Sunday Church. She also enjoyed camping every weekend with the family. Above all, she loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Joyce is survived by her children - Rhonda Smith, Dean (Michelle) Pingel, Karla (Jerry) Anderson; 6 grandchildren – Brent Smith, Matthew (Kelli) Smith, Jeremy (Whitney) Anderson, Jason (April) Anderson, Steven (Kayleigh) Pingel and Jessica Anderson; 3 great-grandchildren – Khyla, Kaylyn, Acre and 1 on the way – Elizabeth Narda; with many cousins and friends and very special friend of 50 years – Joyce Hildreth.

Preceding Joyce in death were her parents, her husband, son in-law- Roger, daughter in-law- Narda Pingel and her fur baby – her dog Muffy.

Memorials made can be directed to the wishes of the family.

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