CLARKSVILLE — Leona “Joyce” Freese, 89, formerly of Clarksville, passed away September 23, 2026, at Newton Village Long Term Care in Newton, leaving a legacy of nearly three decades in teaching and many years of service to her local schools.
Graveside services will be held at 10:30 on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Lowell Cemetery, 29901 Timber Road, in rural Clarksville. Woodley Funeral Home of Hampton is caring for the arrangements.
Joyce was born September 21, 1937, in Greene, the daughter of Leonard and Leona (Heinmiller) Morey. She graduated from Greene High School in 1955 and continued her education at Taylor University and the University of Northern Iowa, studying elementary education.
On her 21st birthday, September 21, 1958, Joyce married Richard H. Freese at Unity Presbyterian Church in rural Clarksville, near where the couple farmed.
Education became a lasting part of Joyce’s life. She taught for almost 30 years, spending most of her career at Clarksville Community Schools. Her commitment to the district continued through many years on the Clarksville School Board, extending her service beyond the classroom.
Faith also held an important place in her life. Joyce was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Greene and First Baptist Church of Waverly.
Joyce’s memory will be cherished by her son, Rick Freese, and his wife, Erin, and grandson, Erik Freese, all of Monticello, Minnesota; her daughter, Jayne Freese, of Newton; and her sister, Evelyn Hay, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; her parents; her sisters, Patricia Morey and Barbara Sletten; and her brothers-in-law, Richard Sletten and William Hay.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for a charitable contribution to be selected. Family and friends may share memories and condolences through Joyce’s obituary page at Woodley Funeral Home.
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