Joyce Van Oort

Joyce Elaine Van Oort was born September 27, 1928 in Montgomery Iowa to Art and Marie (Johnson) Moritz, and was one of six children.

Joyce graduated from Spirit Lake High School and was employed as a credit manager and book-keeper at Smith Lumber, Berkley & Company and United Building Center in Spirit Lake. Joyce was a co-owner for 15 years in the Pioneer Theatre in Milford where many people came to know her. She was a member at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Milford.

Joyce loved collecting dolls, working with doll houses, spending time with her family and grand children, enjoying the beauty of the Lake, and worked extensively mapping the genealogy of her family. Joyce was a loving mother and will be greatly missed, Joyce cared for several elderly friends in the past years. While at the theatre, Joyce always insisted on having one cent candy for the kids. Joyce had a sharp wit and sincere kindness toward others. Joyce grew up on a farm near Montgomery Iowa, but called ‘home’ the family farm in Egralharve on West Lake Okoboji which the family owned for more than half a century.

Chris and Joyce would have celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary this April.

Joyce passed away in her home at 2:30am, January 5th 2004 in her sleep, she had courageously battled lung cancer for the previous year.

Joyce is survived by her husband Chris Van Oort of Milford, their two son's Ron Van Oort of Arnolds Park, and Don Van Oort husband of Lisa Van Oort and three grand children of Milford, her sister Jean Miller of Costa Mesa California, her brother Butch Moritz of Spirit Lake,

Joyce was preceded in death by her brother Robert who passed away as an infant, father Art Moritz, mother Marie Moritz, sister Donna Thomas, and brother Ivan Moritz.

A memorial fund in Joyce’s honor has been established at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford Iowa which will be used in the new addition to the church.

IN MEMORY
Joyce Elaine Van Oort
September 27, 1928
January 5, 2004

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Milford, Iowa

PRESIDER
Fr. James Bruch

MUSIC
JoAnn Heerdt, Organist
Wynette Moore, Cantor
Amazing Grace
Ave Maria Prayer of St. Francis

PALLBEARERS
Kent Baschke
Alex Jones
Mike Clark
Chris Jones
Bob Glover
Tim Jones

HONORARY BEARER
Steve Zimmerman

INTERMENT
Calvary Cemetery
Milford, Iowa

 

The Final Flight Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free, I’m following the path God laid for me. I took his hand when I heard his call, I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day, To laugh, to love, to work, to play. Tasks left undone must stay that way, I’ve found the peace at the close of the day. If my parting left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Ah yes, these things I too will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My Life’s been full, I savored much, Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch, Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, Don’t lenghten it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me, God wanted me now, He set me free.

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Turner Jenness Funeral Homes