Obituaries : Joyce Lorraine Kremer

Surrounded by her loving family, Joyce Lorraine Kremer, 90, of Garrison, passed away Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at Virginia Gay Nursing and Rehab, Vinton.  Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 15, 2024, St. Mary Catholic Church, Vinton, with Father Jim Brokman as Celebrant.  A Rosary will be recited at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, June 14, at St. Mary Catholic Church.  Those not attending the Rosary may visit with the family from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the church and after 9:00 a.m. on Saturday.  Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Vinton. Van Steenhuyse-Teahen Funeral Home is caring for Joyce and her family.

Joyce was born January 5, 1934, the daughter of Everett and Imogene (Robertson) Rice, Sr.  She graduated from Garrison High School and then attended UNI in Cedar Falls.  Following college, Joyce was employed by New York Life Insurance in Waterloo. On February 14, 1957, Joyce was united in marriage to Matthew Kremer.  It was then that she began her beloved career of being a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother.

Joyce has been an integral part of the Garrison/Vinton community for much of her life.  She grew up helping on the family's dairy farm, Robertson's Dairy in Garrison.  She was tasked with washing/filling bottles of milk and rode along with her dad delivering the 6-packs to the residents of the town.  Throughout her life, Joyce enjoyed both playing and watching different sports.  In high school, she excelled as the starting forward for the Garrison Rockette's basketball team - being named an All-Star Forward for Benton County averaging 25 points per game. She loved bowling with her league at Berry's Lanes. She was also an avid tennis player and could watch tennis tournaments on TV for hours. Joyce had a wide range of interests that brought her joy in life. She was musically talented and shared her abilities playing the piano/organ for her church and school as well as singing for St Mary's choir during services. For years she was committed to collecting funds for the American Cancer Society. In her free time, she loved to read, travel, shop, garage sale, go to the casino, and play cards/bingo with her friends.   She especially loved playing games like Uno and Rummikub with her grandchildren. Every year, she couldn't wait to travel 'Up North' to the lake in Minnesota with her family - always insisting that 'the air was just better up there'! She was well-known for her breakfasts and baking skills among her family and friends.  Her special crepes and buttermilk pancakes were a staple. She delighted in making and sharing her homemade strawberry-rhubarb freezer jam, lovingly referred to as 'Gram Jam', and her cookie/pie recipes are treasured as we try to recreate them 'just like grandma's'. Above all, Joyce cherished spending time with her seven daughters and all her grandchildren. Nothing brought her more happiness than being surrounded by her family.  Joyce Lorraine Kremer will forever be remembered for her warmth, kindness, and the love she shared with her family.  Her infectious smile and joyful spirit impacted the lives of those around her in numerous ways.  Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Left to cherish Joyce's memory are her daughters: Joan (Gene) Schmelzer, Mona (Gary) Garwood, Jenny (David) Janssen, Diane (Kevin) Kuehn, Mary (Steve) Hilton, Patty (Ryan) Tresnak, and Julie (Dwayne) Collingwood; twenty grandchildren: Brian (Nicole) Schmelzer, Beth (Keith) Zietlow, Lucas (Hollie) Garwood, Chelsea (Seth) Kettler, Logan (Amber) Garwood, Jeremiah (Michelle) Janssen, Daniel (Piper) Janssen, Katie (Sam) Hentges, Chris (Sophie Gorham) Kuehn, Michael Kuehn, Erik (Bonnie) Hilton, Grant (Nicki) Hilton, Ross Hilton, Matt (Elaina) Smalley, Andy (Maddie) Roster, Kaylee (Matt) Lehman, Brad Tresnak, Amanda Tresnak, Grace Collingwood, and Lily Collingwood; twenty-two great-grandchildren;  two great-great-grandchildren; and brother, Everett (Maureen) Rice, Jr. 

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Matthew. 

A memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.