Joyce Irene (McLaud) Fritz, 89, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died peacefully at home with family on December 16, 2022. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 6, 2023, at Bethany Lutheran Church located at 2202 Forest Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The family will greet others touched by Joyce's life at 10 a.m. prior to the service. A burial will take place later this spring.
Joyce was born on August 30, 1933 to Ollie Allen and Charles McLaud, both deceased. She is also preceded by her four brothers: David Franklin McLaud Sr., Richard McLaud Sr., Charles McLaud Sr., and Robert McLaud.
She will be deeply missed by her surviving daughter, Jeannine Robinson in Cedar Rapids and her children - Niam (Rick) Hian (Veasna & Davie) of Des Moines, Bree (Isaiah) Robinson (Traejan & Talan), Ty Robinson, Troy Robinson, and Brittney (Stephen) Stepanek (Sawyer & Sylvia) of Cedar Rapids; her son Ray (Kathy) Fritz and their children - JR & Jasmine of Palo; Sister-In-Law Eva McLaud Myers of Cedar Rapids; Special daughter-of-her-heart Patty (Mark) Fitzsimmons of Anamosa and grandchildren - Jeannine Fritz & Jenny (Steven) Tamayo of Cedar Rapids; another daughter-of-her-heart Carol Sinclair; as well as numerous great-grandchildren, and too many others to name also considered honorary family.
Joyce was a long-time resident of Cedar Rapids, making many friends over the years, and touching many hearts. After 26 years dedicated to the Neonatal Care Unit, Joyce retired from UnityPoint (Formerly St. Luke's Hospital) as a CNA Tech. Her nurturing compassion continued over the years as she helped care for her son-in-law, Michael Robinson, through his battle with Huntington's Disease. She also was actively involved in raising and caring for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Most recently, you could find Joyce enjoying Senior Worship at church, and being a regular at Vernon Bar & Grill to spend time with her "restaurant family" (Allan, Pam, Angie, Jeremy, Derek, Amy, Lilli, Harold) and special patrons. She will be greatly missed by many. Hugs were distributed to anyone, and strangers were always new friends. Joyce will be remembered for her friendliness, generosity, love, smile and spunkiness.
The family would like to thank Mercy Home Health and Mercy Hospice for their kindness, support and services provided to Joyce while in their care.
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