A Mass of Christian Burial for Joseph Joyce was held on Monday, September 8, 2025 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Emmetsburg, Iowa. Interment was at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Emmetsburg.
Joseph William Joyce was born April 5, 1941, the son of William and Florence (Nolan) Joyce in Graettinger. Joe attended country school and then finished his education at Graettinger Community School. At a young age, he learned a strong work ethic. Life kept him busy with odd jobs that took him to Alaska and he finally ended up back in Graettinger, raising hogs and delivering milk.
On August 10, 1968 Joe married Darlene Richter where they lived on an acreage by the Des Moines River near Graettinger.
After getting the milk truck stuck in a snow storm, this Graettinger boy drove to Emmetsburg to find a better life. Not knowing anything about a grocery store, he mustered up the courage to purchase the first grocery store in 1970. This leap of faith started a very successful life for the couple.
1974 was an exciting year as the couple built a new grocery store within a mini mall in Emmetsburg along with a store in Ida Grove. Four years later, they purchased a grocery store in Laurens.
In 1982 Joe was named Small Business Man of Iowa and was selected to represent the Midwest Region for the National Business Man of the Year in Washington DC. Joe, Darlene, and daughter, Billie Jo, were able to attend the ceremony and enjoy the history of Washington.
Four years later, a grocery store was purchased in Sac City and then Sheldon the following year. As the grocery industry was starting to change, Joe and Darlene took the opportunity to shift their focus to row crop farming. This dream they shared with their son, Pat, and Joe anticipated that the two grandsons would be involved in the future.
"All work and no play, makes for a dull boy." Joe had plenty of hobbies throughout the years. Joe and Darlene were very fortunate to travel to many different countries through opportunities the grocery stores provided them. One even included Joe bullfighting in Spain.
Motorcycle trips were events that Joe and Darlene enjoyed together. Later in life, he exchanged the two wheels for the four wheels of John Deere tractors. This obsession turned into a full time job according to Darlene. Joe had the patience and knowledge to turn a rusted, stuck tractor, into a mint condition fine-tuned machine. Or, when he was bored he would build a tractor from scratch. He enjoyed participating at many tractor pulls. After the collection grew to over 60 tractors, Joe wanted to share his love with others. So, he had an auction at their acreage. This sale brought people from 30 different states and two countries.
Lately, Joe had taken up wood working. He had the talent to take a picture of an old building and turn it into a work of art. His passion was building replicas of businesses in Cylinder and churches of Palo Alto County.
Joe was proud of his Irish heritage and looked forward to the St. Pat's celebration each year. He participated in many parades. He was selected as Grand Marshall of the celebration in 1999.
Throughout his life, Joe was a Jaycee member, a Knights of Columbus member, and served as president of Chamber of Commerce. Joe was active in promoting Emmetsburg throughout his lifetime.
Joe is survived by his wife of 57 years, Darlene; daughter, Billie Jo (Thad) Louwagie; and son, Pat (Jessica) Joyce. Joe's grandkids, Carson and Kylie Hoffman and Tate Joyce were the ones that lit up his world. Joe is also survived by Paul (Ann) Joyce, Mary (George) Leonard, Larry Joyce, Richard (Pam) Joyce, and Bob (Tammy) Joyce; sister-in-law, Deanna Richter; brother-in-law, Ron Richter; along with many nieces and nephews.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, William and Florence Joyce; a sister, Juliann Joyce-Adams; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Fred and Celeste Richter; brother-in-law, Russ Richter; sisters-in-law, Martha Joyce and Alice Richter.
Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
