Joyce E. Hart
May 17, 1930 ~ March 16, 2016
Joyce Elaine Hart, age 85, of Decorah, IA and formerly of Elma, IA passed away on Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at Barthell Eastern Star Home in Decorah, IA.
Joyce Elaine Hart was born on May 17, 1930 to Ralph and Olga (Larsen) Hopkins on the family farm near Chester, IA. She attended school in Elma and graduated from Elma High School. Joyce Elaine attended Luther College in Decorah and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1974. She also received her Master of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota in 1984. She began her teaching career in Strawberry Point, IA. On June 8, 1952 she was united in marriage to Lyle Hart at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Elma. The couple made their home in Elma where Joyce Elaine taught elementary school with an emphasis in reading. She was awarded the Iowa Reading Teacher of the Year in 1988. Joyce Elaine retired in 1992. She enjoyed traveling, singing, bird watching, reading and her many family pets. She was a member of Eastern Star, Elma United Methodist Church, Legion Auxiliary, North East Iowa Reading Council, Phi Delta Kappa, Holiday Ramble Travel Trailer Club, and United Methodist Church Choir.
Joyce Elaine is survived by her two children Scott (Rita) Hart of Decorah, IA and Heidi (Steve) Kessler of Medinah, IL and two grandchildren Melissa Kessler and Alex Kessler.
She is preceded in death by her parents Ralph and Olga Hopkins and her husband Lyle in 2005.
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God Bless the Hart family during these challenging times with the Loss of Joyce Elaine. You are in our thoughts and Prayers. Hugh Mackintosh
Sorry for the loss of your mother. She had such a dynamic personality. We always enjoyed visiting with her.
sorry to hear about the loss of your mother she will be missed by many in Elma You are in our prayer Heidi , Scott and family.
Sorry to hear of the loss of your Mother, Joyce. My prayers and sympathy go out to you Scott and Heidi and family. Jim and I did a lot of Post Office pot lucks and meetings with your folks and all my children had Joyce as a teacher. God has gained another angel in heaven.
Thoughts and prayers go out to your family. Taught with Joyce in Cresco. She was a great friend of my cousin Irene Seele. Peace be with her !
To Joyce Elaine Hart’s family:
My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time. It seems like we are rapidly approaching the end of an era in terms of the people who influenced us as we were growing up in Elma. I had your mother as an elementary teacher, Sunday School teacher and of course as a family friend growing up. Joyce was definitely a memorable person. and an interesting character. I have not seen her in many years but as I write this, I cannot help but smile in a good way when I think about her, your dad, Ralph and Olga as well as AJ and Jenny. She did make a positive difference. May God bless!
Randy L. Hammond
May God comfort you during this hard time. I have fond memories of working with your mother in the Elma school when I was an aide to the librarian. We had many conversations about reading and books – and of course, we had a connection through you, Scott, as a classmate of mine in the Crestwood class of 1974. Your mom was quite a woman.
Rhonda (Jones) Vobr
I was sad to hear about the passing of “Mrs. Hart.” She was a caring, loving teacher and passionate about teaching and learning. I am grateful for what she taught me in third grade and her spirit will continue to inspire me as I teach my second graders each day. My sympathy to her family. Take care.
My deepest sympathy to Scott and Heidi and their families. Joyce and Lyle were good friends and neighbors to my parents for many years ( Joe and Elsie Ludwig). You are in my thoughts and prayers as you grieve for your Mother.
I received word of Joyce Elaine’s passing…..too late to attend her service. My mother and father…Ruth and Denny Brandmill, thought so much of Joyce. She was often at our house..and shared her love of singing..as well as teaching, with my folks. My condolences to Heidi and Scott and their families. Joyce Elaine was ‘one of a kind’ . Sincerely, June Brandmill Judge