JOYCE KNUDSON

Joyce Ann Hamell Ohrtman Knudson, age 86, died February 19, 2021, at Friendship Haven. Service will be 10:30 am Wednesday, February 24, 2021, at Grace Lutheran Church. The service will be livestreamed on the Grace Lutheran Church Facebook page. Visitation will be 4-6 pm Tuesday, February 23, 2021, at Gunderson Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Burial will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery in Fort Dodge.

She was born at the home of her parents John Joseph Hamell and Inez Ione (Haag) Hamell, Wednesday, September 12, 1934, Fort Dodge, Iowa. She attended Fort Dodge Public Schools, graduating in the Class of 1953. As many children born in Iowa, Joyce detasseled corn, walked beans, and spent summers at her grandparents, Otto and Elizabeth Porath Haag, Varina, Iowa.

Joyce was married to Zane Roger Ohrtman of Pocahontas, Iowa, Friday March 6, 1959, at Riverside Methodist Church, Fort Dodge, Iowa. Zane died May 22, 1966. Joyce married Kenneth LeRoy Knudson of Roelyn, Iowa, Monday, April 3, 1972.

Joyce is survived by, children Marilyn Simonson (Richard) of Callender, John Ohrtman (Mary) of Fort Dodge, Carla Bailey of Lee’s Summit, MO, and Kathleen Eggers (Dave) of Lee’s Summit, MO. Grandchildren, Nathan Simonson, Tabitha Dencklau, Olivia Simonson, Josie Simonson, Emily Bailey, Katie Bailey, Lucas Eggers, Sam Eggers, Klair Eggers. Step grandchildren Kerensa Schupmann, Kyle Sheker and Kristine Boomsma and several great-grandchildren, sister Carmen Hamell Bailey, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by parents John and Inez Hamell, husbands Zane Roger Ohrtman and Kenneth LeRoy Knudson, brother John Dean Hamell, grandson Zackary Eggers.

Joyce was employed in the offices of Royal 400 Oil Co, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Fort Dodge Roofing Company, Store manager at Salvation Army Thrift Store, Trimark Business Office. Before and after retirement Joyce loved and appreciated her family and friends. She enjoyed traveling, genealogy and gardening.