Joyce Garretson

Joyce Kathleen Stuart Garretson, rural Salem, died Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 at her home on the family farm.

A graveside memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, October 25th at the Salem East Cemetery in Salem.  The Rev’d. Wayne K. Kamm, Retired Rector, St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, will preside. The Kimzey Funeral Home, Mt. Pleasant, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be directed to kimzeyfh.com.  Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Salem East Cemetery, or to St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Mt. Pleasant.

Born June 5, 1925 in Wayland, Iowa, she was the daughter of Homer and Helen Yount Stuart.  She attended grade school in Wayland and Saunders School in Mt. Pleasant.  She graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1943, and attended Iowa Wesleyan College where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority.

Joyce was united in marriage to Joel Howard Garretson, Sr. on September 27, 1947 at the United Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant.  She worked at Iowa Wesleyan in the Public Relations office, and later at Hawk Eye Bank and Trust in Mt. Pleasant and Salem.

Joyce enjoyed her life on the farm and cherished her time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  An avid Hawkeye sports fan, she followed football and basketball games in the company of many family, friends and neighbors.

She loved being outdoors working in the large vegetable garden and flower beds, in later years, directing the seed purchase and home canning with son, Bob.

Joyce kept up to speed on the evening news and never missed a vote.

The Garretson farm has been a welcoming home away from home to many over the years due to the friendship, warmth, and caring of Joyce and Joel Garretson.

She is survived by her daughter, Cathy Helman and husband Dave, two sons, Joel  and Robert Garretson, sister-in-law Josie Bainter; six grandchildren, Justin Garretson and Rachel, Kurt Garretson and Kate, Sarah Helman Breseman and Brian, Barbara Helman, Eric Garretson and Drew Garretson; six great-grandchildren, Alexis, Jeneva, Isabelle, Joel Howard IV, Edith and Owen; and her faithful Golden Retriever, Homer.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and one son, John, daughter -in-law Marlene and sister Myrll Jean Hoffman and brother-in-law Don.