Joyce Laurel Stoker Hadow

Joyce Laurel Stoker-Hadow

Cedar Rapids

Joyce Laurel Stoker-Hadow, born December 21, 1943, died peacefully at her home in Cedar Rapids, IA on April 23, 2025 at the age of 81. Joy was loving, clever, creative, and brave. She had a nose for a bargain and an eye for beauty. Joy instinctively appeared when friends and family needed support, stood up for what she believed in, and loved chocolate ice cream.

Joy was a librarian by profession – a perfect career for a lifelong learner and treasure hunter. She held positions in the libraries of McKinley Middle School, Mercy and St. Luke’s Hospitals, and Coe College. Joy finished her career at Franklin Middle School with a great group of friends. Joy received her Masters of Library Science from the University of Iowa where she also completed her undergraduate degree.

Joy is preceded in death by her mother, Mabel (Wilson) Stoker and her father, Harold Stoker. She is survived by her husband, Harlo Hadow, daughter, Amy Hadow, sister, Carol Petzold (Walter), nieces, Ruth Koester (Dave) and Ann Moses, nephew, David Petzold (Shelley) and her sweet dog, Muffy. Joy is also survived by beloved grand nieces and nephews, as well as her many wonderful friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Joy on Saturday, May 3 from 2-4pm at the Campbell Steele Art Gallery in Marion, IA. We ask guests to bring stories to share about Joy. In lieu of flowers, friends may send at contribution to Amy or Harlo at Joy’s home address and her family will make a donation to a charity that was close to her heart.

Joy’s family would like to thank her medical care givers at Mercy Hospital, especially Dr. Deb Wilbur and her team at Mercy Oncology; Dr. Ronald Go at Mayo Clinic; and Prisilla Steele and Craig Campbell for allowing us celebrate Joy in a space that she loved.