Joyce Ann Keyes (Curtis)
January 5, 1947 — December 17, 2012
Joyce Ann Keyes, 65, of Center Point, passed away Monday, December 17, 2012, at St. Luke’s Hospital Cedar Rapids, Iowa, after complications from a routine, preventative care procedure. Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 21, 2012, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Center Point. The family will greet friends Friday after the service at their home.
Survivors include her husband, Larry Keyes Sr. of Center Point; mother, Margery Curtis of Hiawatha; son Larry Keyes Jr. of Des Moines; daughter, Teri (Scott) Eckman of Clovis, California; only grandson, Patrick Eckman; brothers, Larry Curtis of Cedar Rapids and Lorton Curtis of Olathe, Kansas; as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Joyce was preceded in death by her father, Lorton “Joe”, in 2010.
Joyce Ann Curtis was born on January 5, 1947, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Cedar Rapids. She was raised in Center Point, Iowa and graduated from Center Point High School in 1965. Joyce and Larry were married on January 21, 1967, and began their life together in Center Point. Joyce worked for Collins Radio, Cryovac and was a welder at FMC while raising their kids in Cedar Rapids. Joyce was an incredibly loyal, dedicated and efficient employee. Her fierce independence and strong work ethic led her to California where she and Larry pursued owning their own business. In 1984 they moved their young family to Clovis, CA, to start a franchise for American Leak Detection. They built their business working side by side and finally sold it in 2005 after Larry suffered a stroke. Joyce and Larry returned to their roots in Iowa in 2005 and lived again in their hometown of Center Point, Iowa.
Joyce held dear the memories of high school classmates and of her time playing softball for the Pointers. She spent the last eight years reconnecting with old friends as well as growing new friendships. Joyce was never one to sit for long but, if she was caught sitting still, she was likely watching a sporting event. She was incredibly productive with her time and talents, and could sew many parts of her projects while taking in a ball game. Her family and friends are blessed that Joyce has left behind beautiful crafts and projects for her loved ones to remember her by.
Joyce fiercely loved all of the members of her immediate and extended family. However, she had a special place in her heart for her only grandchild, ten year old Patrick. She cherished him and planned her week around the phone calls she received from him. Although Patrick lived in California, Joyce made incredible efforts to maintain a close bond with him and was well informed with Patrick’s daily life. Every summer Joyce planned for weeks for Patrick’s visit to her home over the 4th of July. Joyce’s excitement about having Patrick come to Iowa was contagious. It became a neighborhood event filled with friends, family, food and fun. Each year Patrick’s trip culminated with an Independence Day celebration at her house that everyone in the neighborhood looked forward to. Patrick was the apple of her eye. There is no doubt that her influence on Patrick will live on.
Joyce was the ultimate caretaker. She cared tirelessly for Larry after his stroke, she took time each week to do her mother’s laundry and she was often seen delivering canned or baked goods to the neighbors and friends. In her final act of selflessness Joyce saved the lives of others through the donation of her organs. Joyce’s idea of relaxing was sitting just inside her garage reading a book, drinking a pop and keeping a watchful eye over her beloved cul-de-sac. She often stated how fortunate she was to land such a wonderful situation with neighbors that she grew to love dearly. Many neighborhood kids received a popsicle, along with a dose of good conversation, from Joyce during the hot summer days. Her absence will be felt daily by the neighborhood families that loved her like a family member of their own.
Instead of flowers, memorials may be made to CPU Athletic Department Foundation.
Survivors include her husband, Larry Keyes Sr. of Center Point; mother, Margery Curtis of Hiawatha; son Larry Keyes Jr. of Des Moines; daughter, Teri (Scott) Eckman of Clovis, California; only grandson, Patrick Eckman; brothers, Larry Curtis of Cedar Rapids and Lorton Curtis of Olathe, Kansas; as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Joyce was preceded in death by her father, Lorton “Joe”, in 2010.
Joyce Ann Curtis was born on January 5, 1947, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Cedar Rapids. She was raised in Center Point, Iowa and graduated from Center Point High School in 1965. Joyce and Larry were married on January 21, 1967, and began their life together in Center Point. Joyce worked for Collins Radio, Cryovac and was a welder at FMC while raising their kids in Cedar Rapids. Joyce was an incredibly loyal, dedicated and efficient employee. Her fierce independence and strong work ethic led her to California where she and Larry pursued owning their own business. In 1984 they moved their young family to Clovis, CA, to start a franchise for American Leak Detection. They built their business working side by side and finally sold it in 2005 after Larry suffered a stroke. Joyce and Larry returned to their roots in Iowa in 2005 and lived again in their hometown of Center Point, Iowa.
Joyce held dear the memories of high school classmates and of her time playing softball for the Pointers. She spent the last eight years reconnecting with old friends as well as growing new friendships. Joyce was never one to sit for long but, if she was caught sitting still, she was likely watching a sporting event. She was incredibly productive with her time and talents, and could sew many parts of her projects while taking in a ball game. Her family and friends are blessed that Joyce has left behind beautiful crafts and projects for her loved ones to remember her by.
Joyce fiercely loved all of the members of her immediate and extended family. However, she had a special place in her heart for her only grandchild, ten year old Patrick. She cherished him and planned her week around the phone calls she received from him. Although Patrick lived in California, Joyce made incredible efforts to maintain a close bond with him and was well informed with Patrick’s daily life. Every summer Joyce planned for weeks for Patrick’s visit to her home over the 4th of July. Joyce’s excitement about having Patrick come to Iowa was contagious. It became a neighborhood event filled with friends, family, food and fun. Each year Patrick’s trip culminated with an Independence Day celebration at her house that everyone in the neighborhood looked forward to. Patrick was the apple of her eye. There is no doubt that her influence on Patrick will live on.
Joyce was the ultimate caretaker. She cared tirelessly for Larry after his stroke, she took time each week to do her mother’s laundry and she was often seen delivering canned or baked goods to the neighbors and friends. In her final act of selflessness Joyce saved the lives of others through the donation of her organs. Joyce’s idea of relaxing was sitting just inside her garage reading a book, drinking a pop and keeping a watchful eye over her beloved cul-de-sac. She often stated how fortunate she was to land such a wonderful situation with neighbors that she grew to love dearly. Many neighborhood kids received a popsicle, along with a dose of good conversation, from Joyce during the hot summer days. Her absence will be felt daily by the neighborhood families that loved her like a family member of their own.
Instead of flowers, memorials may be made to CPU Athletic Department Foundation.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joyce Ann Keyes (Curtis), please visit our flower store.