Joyce Marie Nielsen

Joyce lived a life marked by kindness, gentleness, and quiet grace. A loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Joyce's family was the center of her world. She spent decades as a devoted teacher, touching countless students' lives with patience, compassion, and encouragement.

She shared 48 wonderful years of marriage with her beloved husband, Marvin Christian Nielsen, until his passing in 2002. Joyce passed away on what would have been their 73rd wedding anniversary, a fitting tribute to a love that endured throughout her life.

Joyce is remembered by her three daughters, Pamela (Denny) Nusbaum, Valerie (Mike) Stein, and Joy (Tony) Zirille; six grandchildren, Christopher (Lauren) Nusbaum, Amanda (Julian) DeBow, Frankie (Ali) Zirille, Joey (Sarah) Zirille, Rocco Zirille, and Gina Zirille; and seven great-grandchildren, August, Morgan, Avery, Elias, Sienna, Giada, and Lucia, all of whom brought her immense joy.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Christian Nielsen; her parents, Charles Dee and Bertha Marie (Smith) Myers; and her sister, Carol Rupright.

Joyce will be remembered for her gentle spirit, her caring heart, and the quiet strength with which she lived her life.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes - Covington Knolls, 8325 Covington Road, Fort Wayne, IN, with visitation beginning two hours prior. Burial to follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 6600 Covington Road, Fort Wayne, IN.

Memorial contributions in Joyce's name may be directed toward the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.