Joyce Fredericks

JOYCE FREDERICKS

Cedar Rapids

Joyce Elaine Skinner Fredericks peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, Oct. 10, 2014, after a brief illness. She will be sadly missed by her family and many friends.

Joyce was born Sept. 10, 1929, to Sybil Mabon and E. Harold Skinner in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She graduated from McKinley High School and was a member of St. Paul's Methodist Church in her hometown. In 1951, she graduated from the University of Iowa, with a degree in speech pathology. She was a teacher in the Cedar Rapids public school system and worked for renowned Iowa historian professor Hershberger at the University of Iowa. Moving to Des Moines started her life of raising and nurturing her cherished family.

Joyce had many interests and hobbies: violinist and pianist, painting, travel, cooking, golf, tennis, gardening, community volunteer, Boy Scout and Camp Fire den mother. She was a member, supporter and volunteer of many service and cultural institutions throughout her life in the Des Moines area, including Westminster Presbyterian Church, Plymouth Congregational Church, past president of Des Moines District Dental Auxiliary, past president of Hanawalt PTA, Des Moines Art Center, Des Moines Botanical Center, Pi Beta Phi sorority, Science Center of Iowa and Terrace Hill.

She enjoyed enter-taining many of her women's and bridge groups in her home. Joyce enjoyed waterskiing in the early years and played tennis and golf at Wakonda Club. If she did not love, she tolerated all of her children's pets – fish, turtles, hamsters, lizards, chameleons, rabbits, birds, cats, dogs and horses. She was a real sport!

She was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan, particularly football, and attended many of their bowl games throughout the country. Since childhood she has loved the Chicago Cubs. She enjoyed the many vacations she took with her children throughout her life. They traveled to all the 49 states, Canada, Spain, Jamaica, and most recently, Door County, Wis.

Joyce is survived by her children: Charles Fredericks Jr. (Mary), Diane Gutfreund (David), Craig Fredericks and John Fredericks; grandchildren: Erika Gutfreund, Jeffrey Gutfreund (Teresa) and Libby Fredericks; sister, Diane Bohlander; nephew, Robert Bohlander (Jan) and grandniece Rachel; and nephew, Mark Bohlander (Sue) and grandniece, Emily.

She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Sybil Adel Mabon Skinner and E. Harold Skinner; and brother-in-law, William E. Bohlander.

Visitation will be 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 20, with funeral service at 11 a.m., and lunch following the service at Dunn's Funeral Home, 2121 Grand Ave., Des Moines. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.