Joyce Marie Toppin, 89, passed away on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St NE Mason City, Iowa with Pastor Dixie Laube officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, Iowa.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.
Memorials can be directed to AgrAbility, at the address of 401 NE 66th Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50313, with attention to T Keninger. AgrAbility is the USDA’s organization that assists farmers with disabilities so they can continue in their farming operation.
Joyce was born on February 19, 1934, in Worth County, the daughter of Clifford “Cliff” and Marjorie “Marj” (Jensen) McKee. She was a graduate of Plymouth High School. After graduation she followed in the steps of her two older sisters and began working at the phone company. Throughout her life she was a hard worker and believed in keeping busy. In addition to being a mom to four boys and keeping a beautiful home, Joyce was a farmwife, bookkeeper, bank teller, and a skilled painter and wallpaper installer. She was a strong woman and enjoyed being able to be independent.
Antiquing was another big part of Joyce’s life. Selling at the annual Oronoco, MN Gold Rush Days and her famous garage sales were opportunities to have fun and make a good deal. Joyce excelled at both. Every spring she would fill up her van to max capacity with flowers for her home. Digging in the dirt and watching her plants thrive was a joy. Joyce was an active member of the Legion in Clear Lake and worked local elections for many years.
Following her marriage to Al Toppin, they traveled to 49 states delivering Winnebagos. The couple also were snowbirds either in Florida or Alabama depending on the year. Loving to travel she was eventually able to visit all 50 states. In recent years, Joyce became an avid follower of the Iowa Hawkeyes and enjoyed analyzing the games.
Her compassion and courage, kindness to others and great love for her family will forever be cherished.
Those left to cherish memories of Joyce are her children, Dennis Fulk, and James (Shawn) Fulk; grandchildren, Rob (Jordan) Fulk, Jennifer Fulk; and great grandchildren, Alaina, Eva and Hazel Fulk, and Kevin Vinsand; sister, Betty Christensen; Wally and Als families; many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Joyce is preceded in death by her husband Al Toppin, sons, Bob Fulk and William “Billy” Fulk; first husband, Walter ”Wally” Fulk; sister, Dorothy Harman; brothers-in-law, Curt Christensen and Bob Harman.
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