Gwendolyn "Joyce" Swartz

Joyce Swartz ~ Eldridge, Iowa - Gwendolyn Joyce Arp Swartz , 80, passed away Tuesday September 29, 2015 at Grand Haven Retirement Center in Eldridge, Iowa. Services will be held Friday October, 2, 2015 at 10:00AM at Runge Mortuary in Davenport. Visitation will be one hour prior with fellowship after. Joyce was born on December 6, 1934 in Davenport, Iowa, the daughter of Henry and Ruth Arp, and the sister of Daybrella Claussen and Harold Arp. Joyce graduated from Davenport High School in 1952, AIC 1954, she worked at Northwest Bank for three years. She then worked beside her husband in the homebuilding business for 45 years, she dedicated herself to her husband, children, grandchildren and friends. Joyce Married Kenneth Edwin Swartz Jr. on April 15, 1955 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Davenport. Joyce and Kenny enjoyed raising their three children; Judy, Susie and Kenny III. As a family they enjoyed many trips to the sunny beaches of Ft. Myers Beach, Florida. Joyce was always active in her church, Edwards Congregational; teaching Sunday School, being a care giver and delivering meals on wheels. Joyce loved animals and exercising and she enjoyed walking the Duck Creek Bike Trail with her dogs and friends. Joyce spent the past several years living at Grand Haven Retirement Center in Eldridge, Iowa, where she was well known for her faith and hope in Jesus. She loved and appreciated all of her new wonderful friends and she and her beloved dog Cuddles thrived in the love that they gave and received while living there. Joyce is survived by her three children; Judy (Keith) Thess of Orion, Illinois, Susie (Pat) Land of Camano Island, Washington and Kenny (Diana) Swartz of Ft. Myers, Florida. Her 15 precious grandchildren: Angela (Jorge), Brian, Haley, Nicholas, Matthew (Erin), Julie, Emily, Jacob, Kalen, Kalvin, Micah, Josiah, Isaiah, Kaylee, Anna and great-grand child Jorge Jr. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, her sister and her brother.