SPENCER — Joyce Welcome Trojahn, 84, passed away on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at St. Luke Lutheran Nursing Home in Spencer.
Visitation will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, September 21, 2026, at Grace United Methodist Church, 311 Second Avenue West in Spencer. Her funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. at the church, with the Rev. Michael Slininger officiating. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Spencer.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the American Legion in Spencer.
Joyce was born on May 7, 1942, to Kerry and Rosella (Martin) Clark. She grew up with her brothers, Merle and Dale, and sisters, Sheryl and Candace. She attended Milford High School.
Joyce began her working years at a café in Milford, where she met the love of her life, Allen Trojahn. The couple married on November 22, 1959, at Union Memorial Church in Milford. Together, they raised three sons: Greg, Mike and Steve.
Family meant everything to Joyce. She prepared and served countless holiday meals, always making far more food than her guests could finish. Her loved ones remember a generous table, a welcoming home and a woman who found great joy in caring for others.
Joyce worked at St. Luke Nursing Home in Spencer for 13 years. She later provided in-home daycare for 40 years and treasured every child who entered her home.
A gifted cook and baker, Joyce entered baked goods in the Clay County Fair. Family and friends happily received the banana bread, cookies and other creations that did not meet Joyce’s own high standards for competition.
Joyce also spent many hours knitting, crocheting, cross-stitching and embroidering quilts and afghans to give as gifts. Her collections included Christmas village buildings and accessories, crystal deer, bells and souvenir spoons gathered during her travels.
Joyce is survived by her husband, Allen; sons, Greg, Mike and Steve (Therese); step-granddaughter, Alisha; step-great-granddaughter, Ashley; brother, Merle; sister, Candace; brother-in-law, Marvin (Lois); sister-in-law, June Rose Bruns; special friend, Julie Williams; and numerous extended family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Kerry and Rosella; brother, Dale; sister, Sheryl Earle; daughter-in-law, Shim; parents-in-law, John and Ella Trojahn; and several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and their spouses.
Joyce will be remembered for her deep devotion to family, decades of caring for children, homemade meals, handcrafted gifts and the generosity she extended to everyone around her.
Arrangements are under the care of Geelan Funeral Home. Read Joyce’s complete obituary and share a memory through Geelan Funeral Home.
NorthIowaToday.com publishes remembrance stories free of charge for families and funeral homes.