Joyce Rowlet

Joyce C. (Gustafson) Rowlet peacefully passed away after a long illness on Sunday, September 22, 2013 at the North Lake Manor with her family by her side. Joyce was born in Laurens, Iowa on December 26, 1931, the daughter of Clarence and Iva (Winter) Boughey. Growing up, she attended school in Terril and Laurens, Iowa. On May 27, 1949, Joyce was united in marriage in Jackson, Minnesota to Lowell Gustafson of Laurens, Iowa. They were blessed with four children: Doyle, Sondra, Ronda, and JoAnn. After Lowellâ€™s passing in 1981, Joyce then remarried Raymond (Sam) Rowlet in 1988. In 1967, Lowell and Joyce built and operated the first car wash in Alta, Iowa. Joyce worked as a Certified Nurses Aid for 18 years at the Alta Nursing Home and Alta Memorial Hospital until it closed. Joyce then worked at the bread store in Storm Lake until she retired. Joyce enjoyed her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. She especially enjoyed being an organist at Assembly of God Church for 21 years. In 2003 she joined the Hope Evangelical Free Church, where she also played the organ for a few years. She spent much time with family traveling across the United States and Canada. She enjoyed camping and fishing. She always looked forward to roasting hot dogs over the open fire. In her later years, Joyce enjoyed her small flower garden and feeding and watching the birds at her apartment. Joyce enjoyed talking to anyone who would listen and sharing stories with family and friends. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Iva Boughey; her two husbands, Lowell Gustafson and Raymond (Sam) Rowlet; step-daughter, Marie Binder; son-in-law, Harland Johnson; and great-grandchild, Ashton LeBert. Those left to cherish her memory include her brother: Kenneth (Pat) Boughey of Laurens, Iowa; children: Doyle Gustafson of Alta, Iowa; Sondra (Kenneth) Knight of Barnwell, South Carolina; Ronda (Mike) Adams of Bridge City, Texas; JoAnn (Mark) Van Hooser of Alta, Iowa; grandchildren: Michele Gustafson, Andre (Fran) Knight, Ryan (Stephanie) Gustafson, Emily (Michael) Menard, Brooke (Jason) LeBert, Casey (Amber) Adams, Brittany Aronson and fiancÃ© Justin McLaughlin; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; two step-children; six step-grandchildren; and nine step-great-grandchildren; extended family and friends.

Joyce Rowlet

October 26, 1931 - September 22, 2013