Joyce Abbott

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Joyce Abbott, 87 of Creston, entered eternal rest Thursday, April 30, 2020 at the Bright Kavanaugh House in Des Moines, IA.  The public is invited to attend a Memorial Service at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at Pearson Family Funeral Service & Cremation Center, 809 W. Montgomery Street, Creston ,IA.  Rev Jodi Rushing will Officiate.  Effective May 1, 2020, funeral services are no longer restricted.  However, out of an abundance of caution, all in attendance are encouraged to wear a face covering or mask.  Inurnment will follow at the Rosehill Cemetery, Nevinville, IA.  Memorial contributions may be directed to the family, to be determined.  Memories and condolences may be left online at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.
Joyce Arlene Abbott was born on a farm north of Diagonal, IA, the 10th of 11 children born to John Henry Oshel and Elsie May (Everling) Oshel.  Joyce attended a one-room country school until graduating eighth grade at Sand Creek #7 in Union County.  She attended High School at the Arispe Consolidated School, graduating with the Class of 1951.  Following graduation, Joyce attended college for two years at Creston Junior College and began teaching kindergarten at the Zion Consolidated School, where she taught for three years.
On December 27, 1955, Joyce was united in marriage to Jack Dean Abbott in Arispe, IA and the couple had four children:  Steve, Jeff, Laura and Alicia.  The family moved to Creston in 1956 and Jack preceded Joyce in death on February 21, 1989.  While her family was growing up, Joyce continued her education and graduated from Drake University in 1971.
Joyce began teaching in the Creston Community Schools in 1971, teaching second grade and later changing to first grade for her remaining years as a teacher.  Joyce retired from teaching in 1997 after almost 30 wonderful years working with children.  In retirement, Joyce stayed busy with her many varied interests.  She loved to travel, collect Owls, visit her family, go to garage sales, ride a Harley Davidson Motorcycle and care for her beloved pet, Earl the Squirrel.  She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Preceding Joyce in death was her husband Jack; her parents; 5 brothers:  Ralph, Clyde, Vern, Johnny and infant Roy Oshel; 3 sisters:  Linnabelle Tridle, Dorothy Ingraham and Fern Miller; 3 sisters-in-law:  Helen (Mrs. Ralph) Oshel, Marguerite (Mrs. Vern) Oshel and Dee (Mrs. Johnny) Oshel; 5 brothers-in-law:  Danny Shannon, George Miller, Harry Ingraham, Bill Tridle and Landis Butcher.  Also preceding Joyce in death were Jack’s sisters:  Reva (Pete) Zellweger, Annie (Donnie) Newton, Jean (Fred) VanPelt and Lois Abbott; and Jack’s brothers:  Art (Freida) Abbott, Eldon (Lola) Abbott and Kenneth (Lois) Abbott.
Joyce is survived by her 4 children:  Steve (wife Kathy) Abbott of Ames, IA, Jeff Abbott of Cherokee, IA, Laura Abbott (husband Tom Ackerman) of Urbandale, IA and Alicia Abbott of Creston, IA; 5 grandchildren:  Jennifer Abbott-Burch, Jared Abbott, Jill Abbott-Eggenberger, Justin Abbott and Jessica Abbott; 8 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters:  Alice Shannon of Boone, IA and Norma Butcher of Des Moines, IA; a sister-in-law, Irvel Oshel of Osceola, IA; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and her special friend, Fred of Des Moines, IA.  May God grant comfort and strength to those who mourn.