Memorial
Mildred “Milly” Ellen Joslin, 93, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, October 14, 2017 at Keystone Cedars Assisted Living in Cedar Rapids. A small gathering to celebrate Milly's life will be held at a future time and a fund has been established in her name to benefit education programs and students.
On October 10, 1924, in Dike, Iowa, Millly, the seventh of eight children, was born to Rev. Alfred B. and Eunice (Sherbon) Chamberlin. Milly graduated from Clarence High School and earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Cornell College. After her marriage to Robert Joslin in 1946, she taught fourth grade in Ames while he finished at Iowa State, and then they moved back to Clarence to farm. Although she had always been a city girl, she thrived in the country, planting and tending a large vegetable garden for many years -- while raising their five daughters: Chris, Kathy, Ann, Carol and Meg -- and teaching them about fresh, healthy food (which is not to say that she enjoyed cooking that wonderful food).
Milly had a great love of music, teaching piano lessons at home as well as playing the organ and directing the choir at Clarence Methodist Church, where she also taught Sunday School and belonged to WSCS. Various other community activities kept her busy, too: Wednesday Literary Club, the Clarence-Lowden school board, an area mental health board, and cheering at all her girls' basketball games and band concerts.
After Bob's death she moved to Cedar Rapids and married Edward Kemp, with whom she took many memorable trips. She so enjoyed becoming part of his warm and loving family. Ed encouraged her interest in painting and she did some of her best work during their years together. She was very devoted to her volunteer activities in Cedar Rapids: St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids Public Library, and a free health clinic.
Books, reading and a real love of learning were an important part of her life. She was always open to and enthusiastic about new ideas, something she passed on to her children and her seven beloved grandchildren (Erin, Scott, Brent, Kim, Hilary, Anthony and Auddie).
We (Meg (Pete) Alepra, Kathy Young, Ann (Kay Johnson) Joslin and Chris Ferguson) have always loved our mom's sense of humor. We have many fond memories of sitting around the kitchen table in fits of laughter about something very silly. Even in recent years our spirits have been buoyed by her smiles, funny faces and giggles. We will dearly miss those times in her physical presence, but will not forget that she once wrote that upon her death, "I'd like to think my spirit will be dropping in on you all."
During her last years Milly received wonderful loving care from everyone who works at Keystone Cedars. She appreciated and loved them all so much -- they were like family to her. We girls are deeply grateful for all they have done for her, bringing so much joy and laughter to her days there.
Gifts may be sent to: Milly Joslin Memorial Fund, 5099 Deer View Road, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52411.