Joyce E. Nicklaus

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, Joyce Elaine Nicklaus, who left this world peacefully on June 29, 2025. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, July 11, 2025 at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel in West Des Moines. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until the time of the service. A burial will be at Iowa Veterans Cemetery at a later date.

Joyce was a woman of quiet strength, deep compassion, and unwavering love. Her family was the center of her world, and she filled every role—wife, mother, grandmother—with grace and warmth. She had a gift for listening, always offering a kind word or a thoughtful presence to those who needed it most. Her empathy and selflessness touched everyone who had the joy of knowing her.

A proud public servant, Joyce dedicated many years of her life working for the State of Iowa, where her professionalism and kindness made a lasting impact on colleagues and the community alike.

Joyce’s Christian faith was the foundation of her life. She had a deep and abiding relationship with the Lord, spending quiet moments each day reading her Bible and reflecting through daily devotionals. Her faith guided her actions, grounded her spirit, and offered her peace throughout life’s challenges. She lived out her beliefs through kindness, patience, and an unwavering trust in God’s plan.

In her personal life, Joyce found joy in the simple pleasures: curling up with a good book, exploring new places through travel, and most of all, spending time with the people she loved. Her gentle spirit, her welcoming heart, and her unwavering support will be missed more than words can express.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Jim; her son, Richard (Crystal); her daughter, Rebecca (Brett); her grandchildren Jordan, Charles, Dylan and Madisyn; and great grandchild Skylar. All who brought immense joy to her life.

Her legacy of love, faith, compassion, and connection lives on in all of us. She will be deeply missed.

Memorial contributions may be directed to The Salvation Army.