Joyce Ann Flanders, 89, gained her angel wings on Monday, January 27, 2025, at Sunny View Care Center in Ankeny.

Joyce’s family will greet family and friends at 1pm with the service starting at 2pm on Friday, February 7, 2025, at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd, Ankeny, IA).

Joyce was born on October 9, 1935, in Guthrie County to Leo and Ethel (Buttler) Simmer. She was child #3 out of 11. She grew up helping her mom with the younger ones.

Joyce married her first love, Lloyd Nelson, in 1954. Two sons joined them, Lloyd (Kim) and Rodney. In 1958 the family was in a tragic accident and lost her husband, Lloyd, and son, Rodney. Cindi joined the family 6 months later.

Joyce found love once again with Terril Flanders and they married in 1961. Terril (Skip) and JoAnn joined the family to make it complete.

Joyce loved to travel with Terry. After he passed, she traveled with Kim and Barb and her sister Sandra joined in making many memories. She was always up to playing cards, Rummikub, and going to the Casino. She enjoyed frequent visits from family and friends at the kitchen table.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Ethel Simmer; first husband, Lloyd Nelson; children, Rodney Nelson and Cindi Nelson; second husband, Terry Flanders; brothers, Dean, Gene (Curly), Denny, George (Mike), Bob and Michael, and her sister, Connie.

She will be missed by her sons, Kim (Barb) Nelson and Skip Flanders; daughter, JoAnn Flanders Ellsberry; grandkids, Brenda Nelson, Brian (Angel) Nelson, Rodney Nelson, Dilon Flanders, Samantha (Erik) Riedingers, Dawn Lainson, Shelby (Matthew) Williams, and Paige Ellsberry (Cameron Roth);10 Great Grandkids with 2 arriving in 2025 and 2 Great Great Grandkids; brothers, Jack and Larry Simmer; sister, Sandra Lantz; sisters-in-law, Sue Simmer, Peggy Simmer, and Kelly Simmer, and many many nieces and nephews.

Visitation & Memorial Service

Feb

7

Memorial Services of Iowa

4208 North Ankeny Blvd
Ankeny, IA 50023

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM