Joyce was born on September 2, 1934 in Park River, ND to Joy and Vera Ratliff. Joyce and her family moved from Park River to Ames, IA, her senior year in high school. After graduation, she worked at the family restaurant, The Spudnut Shop. While working she met William (Bill) Bennett. They married on December 27, 1953 in Ames, IA where Bill was a student at Iowa State University. They lived in Pammel Court until Bill graduated. Their daughters, Mary and Karen, were born while they lived there. After graduation, they lived in Sidney, OH and Havre de Grace, MD while Bill was in the Army. Then they moved to Des Moines, IA, where their children, Mark and Barbara were born. They moved to Cherokee, IA where they put down roots and one more child, David, was born.
Joyce moved to Orchard View in Carroll, IA after Bill passed away, to be in a more central location for her children. She enjoyed getting to know her neighbors, putting together puzzles, baking cinnamon twists, brownies and other treats to share at coffee, and quilting with others. She walked many miles inside and outside the building on her daily walks.
Her church, Memorial Presbyterian Church was an important part of her life and she was an active member. She was one of the founding mothers of Sermons Ala Carte, an inter-denominational program that just celebrated its forty-year anniversary. She was member of The National T.T.T. Society for 38 years. She was instrumental in sending many girls to summer camp as a part of this organization.
Joyce loved to sew, bake, play cards, read, play Heartland Strategy, and have the grandchildren come to stay. Much fun was had and memories made at “Grandma Camp”. Everything from nature walks to the grands putting curlers in her hair was an adventure when done with Grandma Joyce.
Joyce was named Cherokee’s Lady of the Year in 1983. She was very honored by this recognition.
Joyce and Bill began going to Arizona for the winter about 20 years ago. It began as a rental for a month but soon segued into their own place and 6 months a year. Joyce loved sitting in the sun on the patio waiting for her friends and their dogs to walk by, swimming in the pool, serving on the neighborhood welcoming committee, and her friends and neighbors there. She enjoyed thrift stores and garage sales. She was a master at seeing garage sale signs from a block away. Many treasures were discovered while thrifting with her.
Bill passed away in 2013 just shy of their 60th wedding anniversary. After Bill’s death, Joyce had a special friendship with Paul Baldwin.
Grandma Joyce had a wall of her house in Arizona covered with pictures of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The running total is: 5 children, 14 grandchildren, and 28 great-grandchildren with two more on the way.
Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Bennett, her parents, Joy and Vera Ratliff, Bill’s parents, Hazel and M.W. Bennett, brothers, Robert Ratliff, Richard Ratliff, and Allen Ratliff, brother-in-law, Jerry Thompson, sister-in-laws, Colleen Bennett, Delores Ratliff, and Marilyn Ratliff. Nephew Rick Ratliff, son-in-law, Robert Terpstra, and special friend, Paul Baldwin.
She is survived by her children, Mary (Orrin) Erickson of Brookings, SD, Karen Terpstra of Ames, IA, Mark (Joan) Bennett of Mount Carmel, IA, Barbara (Todd) Brockshus of Spencer, IA, and David (Jennifer) Bennett of Bellevue, NE, her sister, Janice (Al) Churchill of Longmont, CO, and her brother-in-law, Robert Bennett, by 14 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched, the family she cherished, and the memories shared around her table filled with laughter, conversation, and love. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.
Visitation will be May 6 from 6:00-8:00 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church.Funeral service will be May 7 at 11:00 am at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 801. E 18th Street, Carroll, IA.
