Memorial
Joyce Kathleen von Lackum, age 85, of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, October 19, 2014 at Hallmar Care Center after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
A celebration of Joyce’s life will take place at 1:30 PM Thursday, October 23, 2014 at the First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids. The family will greet friends at the church one hour prior to the service. Private family inurnment will take place at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Joyce is survived by her husband, John K. von Lackum; daughter Linda (James) Buchholz of Trabuco Canyon, California; daughter Virginia “Ginger” (John) Sabia of Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania; grandchildren Emily Buchholz of Trabuco Canyon, California; John Sabia (fiancée Rebecca) of Fort Worth, Texas; Ed (Malia) Sabia of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; Allison “Allie” and Brooke Sabia of Amherst, Massachusetts; great-grandchildren Francesca and Edward “Charlie” Sabia; sisters Marcella Smith of Spokane, Washington and Janet (Dean) Snow of State College, Pennsylvania; as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; infant twin grandsons Eric and Victor von Lackum Sabia; and sister Delores McLean.
Joyce was born February 22, 1929 in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota to Charles Edward and Lydia (Melzian) Keller. She graduated from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois in 1951 with a Bachelor’s degree. She became a girls’ P.E. teacher in Holland, Michigan and then Pomona, California, and later in Cedar Rapids. On June 26, 1954 Joyce was united in marriage to John K. von Lackum in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota.
Joyce was a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church. She was a volunteer at Mercy Hospital, and led a senior’s bible study. She was a member of the Junior League and was their “Playtime Poppy” for many years.
She was an avid sportswoman: she enjoyed tennis, golf, skiing, bowling, and hiking. She was a Life Master bridge player, and enjoyed cooking and baking. She and her husband travelled extensively worldwide throughout their sixty-year marriage.
Memorials in Joyce’s name may be directed to Hallmar Care Center.