Joyce Avon Sandine

Joyce Avon Sandine, age 92, of Alta, Iowa, died January 21, 2022 at her home in Alta. Funeral services will be held Friday, January 28, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Alta. The service will be streamed on Trinity Lutheran Church Facebook page. Visitation will be one hour prior at the service at the CHURCH. Burial will be in the Scandinavian Cemetery in Alta. Wearing masks is requested so we can protect one another and stay safe. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Trinity Lutheran Church in Alta or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Alta is in charge of arrangements. Joyce Avon Benna Sandine was an amazing and incomparable woman, “a beacon of light” as described by a family friend. She was born in Albert City, Iowa, on January 6, 1930, the ninth of eleven children born to George and Edith Benna. After the Bennas moved to Alta, Joyce excelled at Alta Community School, singing in the choir, working as the school newspaper’s editor in chief, being elected the school’s Homecoming Queen, and becoming her class Valedictorian upon graduating in 1947. Joyce married Lyle (Sandy) Sandine in 1950. They were blessed with two daughters, Elizabeth (Liza) and Julie. Their month-long summer family vacations introduced the love of travel and provided the chance to explore and learn about the country, as well as reinforce the family’s bond and love for one another. As empty-nesters, Joyce and Sandy continued to explore together, taking cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska, and Hawaii, and enjoying three trips to Sweden. There they visited with relatives, saw ancestral homes, and renewed the connection with their Swedish heritage. They were able to share the magic of this experience with their daughters during their last trip to Sweden. After working as a medical transcriptionist for many years, Joyce made the decision to change careers and began working in the Financial Aid office of Buena Vista University. She was grateful for the school’s free tuition for employees and enthusiastically took a class every semester for 20 years, graduating Summa Cum Laude in May of 2002 at the ripe young age of 72. She retired from BVU in 2005. Joyce was a tireless and voracious reader. She loved books, belonged to multiple book clubs, and served on the Alta Library Board for years. In addition to reading stories, Joyce was the consummate storyteller. She had a wonderful way with words. Her stories, both spoken and written, were enjoyed by everyone, but by her daughters most of all. Joyce was a devoted and lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Alta. She especially enjoyed the Bible study group and the beautiful experience of mentoring two very special young women through the confirmation process. Her strong faith was a steadfast source of sustenance and hope. Joyce’s family was a special source of joy and pride for her. She loved her “Benna Bunch” and especially enjoyed the annual Benna Reunion that brought family back to Iowa to celebrate their family roots and share memories, jokes and stories…and rhubarb! She also loved and cherished the Sandine side of the family, enjoying gatherings and trips together. Her final days included a memorable, beautiful trip to Tennessee for the Christmas holidays spent with her daughters and their families. After the pandemic separation of 2020, she was ecstatic to again be with her three beloved grandsons and precious great-granddaughter, and to meet and hold her newest great-granddaughter (when she was only 4 days old!). The family was able to enjoy the Swedish traditions of the Christmas season, which Joyce always shared and loved, and celebrate the joy and true meaning of Christmas together. She was able to return home with many cherished memories. After a brief illness, Joyce took her final breath on January 21, 2022, in her home, in the peaceful, loving presence of her two daughters and pastor. She will be sorely missed and always loved by her daughters, Liza (Ed) Emanus of Memphis TN, and Julie (Michael Zanolli) Sandine of Nashville, TN, as well as her grandsons, Erik (Katie) Emanus, Elliot (Kelly) Emanus and Ethan Emanus of Memphis, TN; and her great-granddaughters: Everleigh Emanus and Ezramae Emanus. In addition, Joyce leaves behind her dear sister, Anita (Dick) Williams of Ottawa, KS; her beloved nieces and nephews and other members of the Benna and Sandine families; her Alta and Trinity Lutheran “extended families,” and countless other family members and friends whose lives she has touched and enriched in innumerable ways. The family would especially like to thank Joyce’s nieces, Denise Betts of Alta, and Linda Hoops of Storm Lake, for always being there for her.

Joyce Avon Sandine

January 6, 1930 - January 21, 2022