Joyce Lee Brown passed away peacefully at home with family by her side on May 18, 2022 from complications related to dementia.
Those left to treasure her memories are her loving husband of 56 years, Bruce W. Brown; two children, Brian (Elizabeth) Brown of Michigan and Rebecca (David) Brown Schroeder of Oregon; and four grandchildren, Aaron, Elawyn, Sarah and Abigail.
Joyce was born November 8, 1943, in Lafayette, Indiana, to Lucille M. Klaiber and F. Louis Klaiber, both of whom preceded her in death.
She graduated as Valedictorian of Battle Ground High School’s Class of 1961. She received numerous academic awards and attended Indiana University before graduating with distinction from Purdue University in 1965. She was a member of the Kappa Delta Pi educational and Delta Rho Kappa scholastic honoraries.
On August 8, 1965, she married Bruce, her long time friend and sweetheart. They moved to Minnesota where Joyce worked as a Speech Language Pathologist with school children across the state while Bruce attended graduate school. Joyce and Bruce then lived in Decatur, Indiana, for 5 years before settling in Keokuk, Iowa. In Keokuk, Joyce was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church and was involved in numerous civic and philanthropic activities including the American Association of University Women, the League of Women Voters, and PEO Chapter LZ. She was passionate about supporting educational opportunities and scholarships for women and treasured her relationships with her PEO sisters throughout her life. She was also Chair of the United Way Annual Fund in Keokuk and proudly advanced the fund’s impact throughout the community.
In 1994 Joyce and Bruce returned to Indiana and settled near Brookston on their family farm. Joyce was a founding member of PEO Chapter EK in Monticello, Indiana, and served as President and in other leadership roles. She was an active member and volunteer at Brookston United Methodist Church.
Joyce loved to travel with family and friends on adventures near and far. Some of her favorite trips were to America’s National Parks, Hawaii, Williamsburg, VA, Italy, the United Kingdom and cruises to Alaska. Joyce was also a devoted fan of the Purdue Boilermakers and would wear her Old Gold and Black colors with pride. A quiet person by nature, she did not hold back when cheering on her beloved Boilermakers in Mackey Arena as a Lifetime John Purdue Club Member.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the charity of your choice with consideration to the Purdue Foundation for the Brown Family Tip Top Farms Scholarship or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Friends may call from 4:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. Friday, May 20, 2022 at Hartzler-Clapper Funeral Home of Brookston and also from 10 a.m. until the time of funeral service at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 21, 2022 also at the funeral home; Pastor Jeff Stedge to officiate. Interment to follow in Liberty Chapel Cemetery.
Share memories and online condolences at www.clapperfuneralservices.com
