Joyce Conerd, 71, of Independence, and formerly of Oelwein, passed away Tuesday April 23, 2024 at ABCM Rehabilitation of Independence. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 PM on Wednesday May 1, 2024 at the Geilenfeld-Buehner Funeral Home in Oelwein. Funeral Services will begin at 10:30 AM on Thursday May 2, 2024 at the funeral home with Pastor Howard Steifel officiating. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery at Oelwein. Memorial may be directed to the family for later designation.
Joyce Ann (Kono) Conerd was born in Oelwein on July 8, 1952 to parents Robert and Rita (Matthews) Loban. She graduated from Oelwein High School with the class of 1971. Joyce then attended Hawkeye Community College and earned her degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse. On April 27, 1974 she was united in marriage with Jim Conerd in Ames. Joyce had been employed with City Laundry, then as a LPN with Oelwein Healthcare Center, Grandview Healthcare Center and Mercy Hospital in Oelwein. She also was sales manager and office manager for Conerd Flooring in Oelwein.
Joyce developed her love for nursing while in high school when she worked as a Candy Striper at Mercy Hospital in Oelwein. In her spare time Joyce enjoyed crocheting, crossword puzzles, spending time talking with friends and family, shopping at Amish stores with her sister Karen, and seeing all of her children and grandchildren. She had a special bond and love for her beloved cat Katie. She met the love of her life, Jim Conerd, while working at City Laundry. Joyce also became well known for her facial expressions that could speak a thousand words and her spitfire personality!
Left to celebrate Joyce’s life are her children: Angela McCann of Independence, Bradley (Heidi) Conerd of Cedar Rapids and Jeremy (Dawn Pauken) Conerd of Georgia; her grandchildren: Michaella Green, Brian (Emily) Bass, Emma (Austin Keck) Nelson, Noah Conerd, Tristin McCann, Jaycee Nus, Ryker Nus and Rilynne Reaves; her great-grandchildren: Nevaeh, Michael, Kash, Karter and Bowie; her siblings: Terry (Wilma) Kono, Karen (Ty) Dunlap and Cari (JT) Turner; her sister-in-law Becky Conerd and her brother-in-law David Conerd; as well as several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Jim; her daughter Michelle Green; her granddaughter Autum McCann; her grandson Morgyn Green; her siblings Sandra Loban, Doyle Kono and Judy McGinnis.
