Joyce Langreck

Joyce Marie Langreck, age 80, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota, after a short illness.

A celebration of life will be held from 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Ridgeway Community Center, 690 County Street, Ridgeway, Iowa. A private burial will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations and memorials can be sent to the family in memory of Joyce.

Joyce was born to Allen Brown and Violet (King) in 1945. After the death of her father, she and her brother Curtis were raised by their mother in West Union, Iowa.

She married LaVern Langreck, of Saint Lucas, in 1966. They farmed for a short time in Fayette County before settling on a farm just outside of Decorah with their four sons (Kevin, Kerry, Kraig, and Kelly), where they milked dairy cattle, raised pigs, and farmed crops.

Following the death of her husband, Joyce got a job working at K&S Super Valu, where she decorated cakes for over 30 years until its closing. She then worked for Quillin's in Decorah and Waukon, Decorah Public Schools, and volunteered at Winneshiek Medical Center. She formed many lasting friendships throughout the years with the people with whom she worked and volunteered with.

She enjoyed reading, many forms of needle work; including hardanger, sewing and quilting. She delighted in traveling and sightseeing, taking many trips across the United States with her friends.

She spent many hours watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren show animals at local and state fairs, proudly cheering them on. She also taught her grandchildren how to sew.

She cherished spending time and making memories with her family and numerous friends, including the women of the Madison Church Circle and St. Benedict's Catholic Daughters.

She was preceded in death by her husband, LaVern Langreck, her parents, Allen R. and Violet M. Brown. Her brother Curtis Brown, his wife Suzan, and their son Allen Brown. One granddaughter, Miranda Langreck. Brother-in-law William Langreck and sister-in-law Darlene Elsbernd.

She is survived by her four sons, Kevin (Dawn), Kerry (Ann Brown), Kraig (Brenda), and Kelly (Becky). Her brother-in-law, Gerald (Diane) Langreck and sister-in-law, Kathy Langreck, along with 16 nieces and nephews.  She is also survived by 5 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. They are: Mitchel (Jessica) Langreck and their children, Mariah, Madilyn, Marshal, and Mackenna; Kaytlan (Josh) Larson and their children Daylynn and Fletcher, Anthony Halverson (Andrea), Austin (Chelsea) Langreck and their daughter Lennon, and Kamryn Langreck.