Joyce Ann Cook

Joyce Ann (Hutton) Cook, 85, formerly of Boone, IA, peacefully passed away on February 20, 2025, in Elkhorn, Nebraska.
Born on July 28, 1939, in Leon, Iowa, to Garland and Madolyn (Hougas) Hutton, Joyce grew up on the family farm in Blythedale, Missouri with her younger sister, Jan. Her early education began in a one-room country schoolhouse, and she graduated in 1957 from North Harrison High School in Eagleville, Missouri. Joyce pursued business studies at Northwest Missouri State University and Northeast Missouri State University before working briefly in Eagleville and Kansas City. In 1960, she married and made Boone her home two years later.
After spending several years as a homemaker and working seasonally at Boone County Tax Service, Joyce fulfilled her lifelong dream by becoming a registered nurse. She graduated from Des Moines Area Community College in 1978 and immediately began her career at Boone County Hospital. For nearly 25 years until her retirement in 2003, Joyce served her community with dedication, providing compassionate care to countless patients.
Nothing brought Joyce more joy than being "Gramma Joyce" to her 11 beloved grandchildren. She cherished traveling to visit her children and grandchildren, enthusiastically attending many school and sporting activities. Her summers were filled with week-long visits from the grandchildren when she would spoil them with visits to the Boone pool, Des Moines Zoo, and Living History Farms. Joyce loved to pick gooseberries, raspberries, and rhubarb in her backyard with her grandchildren and make delicious pies and jams. Joyce always showered her children and grandchildren with love and thoughtful gifts, taking great pride in selecting the perfect present for each child. She also loved surprising her grandchildren with handmade creations, whether it was clothing, doll fashions, or something special for their pets.
Joyce had a passion for sewing, gardening, and home decorating. She especially enjoyed helping her children personalize their homes, eagerly pitching in with painting, sewing curtains, and wallpapering. In midlife, Joyce discovered a passion for cycling, participating in community bike rides including a segment of RAGBRAI. In 2009, her creative spirit shone when she won the Pufferbilly Days slogan contest with "Riding the Rails to Success."
Joyce was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, where she volunteered for many years. She also enjoyed participating in several bridge clubs, which gave her the opportunity to connect with friends.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her sister Jan (Ron) Carter of Lee's Summit, MO and her four children: Cindy (Mark) Stanley of Monument, CO; Craig (Molly) Cook of Saratoga Springs, NY; Julie (Brian) Flynn of Elkhorn, NE; and Tracey (Joe Thiewes) Shaffer of Lee's Summit, MO; and her eleven grandchildren: Allyson, Christina and Rachael Stanley; Alyssa (Peter) Cook Kelly; Amy Cook; Conor, Elizabeth and Eamon Flynn; and Olivia, Alec and Ian Shaffer.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Symphony Pointe and Peaceful Hearts Hospice in Elkhorn, Nebraska for their compassionate care.
The family will welcome friends during a visitation on Friday, March 28, 2025, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home, 609 7th Street, Boone, Iowa. A Nursing Honor Guard ceremony will be held at 6:30 p.m. to pay tribute to Joyce's years of service to the nursing profession. A graveside service and interment will take place on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Blythedale, Missouri. Online condolences may be left at www.schroederfuneral.com
In lieu of flowers, we ask that memorials be made to The Parkinson's Foundation in honor of Joyce Cook at Parkinson Foundation Memorial.