Joyce Nielsen

Joyce Nielsen

Cedar Rapids

Joyce Nielsen, 89, of Cedar Rapids, IA, passed away on April 27, 2023 in her home after many years of battling Alzheimer's.

Joyce was born to Dorothy and Clarey Jensen in Askov, MN. She grew up with her aunt, Gloria Schmidt (Saastad) and her

brother

, Gerald in a very close-knit family and community. Joyce graduated from high school in Cloquet, MN after only living there a year and considered herself an Askov graduate, participating in reunions until she was unable to. On June 11, 1955, she married the love of her life, Eric Nielsen. They enjoyed 67 years of life together.

Joyce lived life as a part of an in service to her community. She was a long-time active member of the Unitarian Church. She learned about politics with the League of Women Voters and had a lifetime commitment to the organization. She was a part of Lyndon Johnson's War on Poverty and worked with Head Start as it began it's program. From there, she developed a career at HACAP. She worked up managing a center in Toddville, and then a local Cedar Rapids center. She was most proud of setting up a three-country tutoring program that was subsequently adopted by the schools themselves.

In her 50's, she decided to try all the ideas she had thought were interesting. She began a licensed detective, set up a babysitting exchange, took tap dancing classes and taught private driving classes to the elderly and disabled. After giving all these things a trial, she decided to serve others by selling cars. This got her more interested in finances. She was a particular advocate for women and children throughout her life and decided she could be of more service helping women figure out how to secure their financial life. She began by selling annuities, but soon teamed up with other women with other financial strengths to put together Nielsen Financial Advisors.

Joyce had a lifelong belief in the capacity of people to improve themselves and their world. She believed that our democratic process allows people to have a voice and to change the world. Her values and philosophy best fit with the Democratic Party and she was an advocate for the Democratic Party through her life, while also respecting the opinions of the Republican Party. She believed in caring for and supporting all of those around you, even those who you disagreed with or were unlikeable. She felt honored to serve two terms in the Iowa House of Representatives.

Joyce was preceded in death by her brother, Gerald and her parents. Surviving Joyce are her husband, Eric Nielsen, her daughter Dr. Cindy Nielsen, her granddaughter, Stephanie Nielsen, her niece, Andrea Jensen and her nephew Jared Jensen.

Joyce willed her body to the University of Iowa. Memorials to her will be considered at a later date. Gifts may be given in memory of Joyce to the charity of your choice.