Joyce M. Bees

Joyce M. Bees, age 90, of Sabula, Iowa died on Sunday, August 31, 2008 at Mercy Medical Center North, Clinton, Iowa. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at the United Methodist Church, Sabula with Reverend Tom Berryman officiating. Burial will take place in the Evergreen Cemetery, Sabula. A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2, 2008 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Sabula. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the United Methodist Church in Joyce’s memory.

Joyce was born June 28, 1918 the daughter of Carl and Elizabeth (Haylock) Jensen in Maquoketa, Iowa. She attended Maquoketa High School graduating with the Class of 1935 and later graduated from Marycrest College with her Bachelors Degree in Education in 1974. She married Edward John Bees on June 7, 1941 in Sabula. Edward died on June 7, 1972.

Before retiring in 1980, Joyce taught in a country school for five years and later as a 5th grade teacher in Sabula for twenty-five years. She was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church, Sabula, where she was involved in prayer groups and taught Sunday School. She was a member of the Sabula Senior Citizens, Retired Teachers of Jackson County, V.F.W. Women’s Auxiliary, and also previously served on the Sabula Library Board. Joyce enjoyed reading books and playing cards, especially Canasta and 500. She loved rowing her boat across the Sabula Lake singing her favorite hymns. Most of all, Joyce cherished the time she spent with family and friends.

Joyce will be dearly missed by three sons, John (Patricia) Bees of Dana Pointe, California, Donald (Mary) Bees of Circleville, Ohio, and Ronald (Margaret) Bees of Clinton, Iowa; seven grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.

Joyce is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Edward; sister, Ruby Belle Denter, a daughter, Elizabeth Ann Emberson; and one granddaughter, Amanda Elizabeth Bees.