Joyce Holst

Joyce Elaine (Paaske) Holst was born March 5, 1938 to Henry and Mary Paaske in Davenport, Iowa. She died May 28, 2017 surrounded by love in her rural Eldridge home.

A service to celebrate her life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, June 2, 2017 at the Bettendorf Presbyterian Church, 1200 Middle Rd. in Bettendorf. She will be laid to rest at Mt. Union Cemetery in rural Eldridge. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Thursday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bettendorf Presbyterian Church or to the family for her grandchildren’s education. McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home of Bettendorf is assisting the family with arrangements.

She filled the 79 years she had on this earth with as much love, service, and adventure as she could.

She and her brother Jack grew up near Argo and attended what was then Davenport High School.

Joyce met Gary Holst at a dance for “Country Kids” and they married September 29, 1962 at her beloved church home, Bettendorf Presbyterian. Theirs was the first wedding held in the new building, back when Middle Road was gravel.

Joyce settled well into being a farmer’s wife, working for the Lord as she drove the tractor, helped work the cattle, and aided in the planting and harvest all the while maintaining an enormous garden and orchard, canning and preserving the fruits of her labor, having breakfast, dinner, lunch and supper (yes, you read that right) on the table at the right times for however many people were there to help on the farm and keeping the cookie jar full.

Amongst it all, she found time to serve her Presbyterian Women’s Circle, be a deacon, cook for funerals, serve on numerous committees and volunteer in myriad ways. Joyce was also a loyal employee at Four Seasons for 32 years. She helped found a Good News Club for children. She was a leader for 4-H for many years. She belonged to several social groups which continued for years and years some even to this day. She was a faithful friend.

Gary and Joyce were married for 48 incredible years before his passing in 2010. They are parents to Connie of LeClaire, with whom Joyce loved the adventure of travel, and Kevin of rural Eldridge. He married Jessica and then eventually Joyce was blessed with her six grandchildren: Aviana, Brielle, Cadrian, Denton, Elivette and Finnella.

She loved those grandbabies with all she was, spent as much time as she could with them and nothing brought her greater joy than their antics and greater peace than snuggling a baby.

She served her family, her friends, and her community with her every breath. She will be missed beyond measure but we are thankful she is with those who have gone before her, especially Gary and with Jesus.

Condolences may be expressed to the family by viewing Joyce’s obituary at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.