Joyce Schroeder Amdor

Joyce Schroeder Amdor was born to Gregory and Edna Maas Schreoder at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Carroll, IA on August 16, 1942. The family made their home in Breda for three years until moving to Odebolt where they resided for 10 years. From Odebolt, they moved to Manson, IA and later to Lake City, IA where Joyce graduated high school, Class of 1960.Following high school, Joyce moved to Ames, IA where she was employed in various departments for Iowa State University. After being coaxed by a high school classmate to attend an off-campus function, Joyce met a young Veterinary Medical student named John Amdor who would become her future husband. Joyce and John were united in marriage on August 8, 1964 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lake City, IA with Father James Fandel officiating. Their union was blessed with 3 children: John III, Julie, and Jason.They made their home in Ames while John completed his Veterinary Medical studies and moved to Massena, IA after his graduation. There he established his own practice with Joyce designing his clinic and working there as his assistant. They operated the clinic there for 18 years, moving to Denison in 1987. Joyce began her very rewarding career as a librarian at the Norelius Community Library, first as a Children’s Librarian for 11 years, then as the Library Director for 8 years, retiring in 2006. She was most proud of serving as Chairperson of the Children and Young People’s Library Roundtable where she won several awards, including one for the Summer Reading Program 4 years in a row. She was privileged to serve on the committee that organized and developed the HealthInfoIowa website.Church and community were important to Joyce. Her music ministry began in the 5th grade when she and a friend would sing the Requiem Mass in Latin at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Odebolt, IA. She was a CCD teacher in Massena and continued her music ministry. She was active as a member at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison where she served on their Building Committee, Stained Glass Committee, Liturgy Committee, as a cantor, and sang in the Adult Choir.Joyce’s long and interrupted college education began at Iowa State University while residing in Ames, continued at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, and concluded at Buena Vista University, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business in 2006.While living in Massena, she served on the Massena Library Board and helped to remodel their library. She was a Cub Scout leader for 14 years and received the coveted Cub Wood Badge Award, a licensed Amateur Radio Operator, the second licensed Veterinary Technician in the state of Iowa, served as a co-chair of politics in Cass County, an Election Judge, and enjoyed being a part of the Defiance Quilting Ladies sewing for charity. In her leisure time Joyce enjoyed music, singing, quilting, her water aerobic classes, and traveling, having visited Scotland four times and Ireland once. In 1995, John and Joyce purchased their current acreage north of Defiance, IA where she spent her retirement years.With loved ones by her side, Joyce died at her home in rural Defiance on Thursday, January 19, 2017, having been blessed with 74 years, 5 months, and 3 days.Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; her four sisters: Loeta Boudia, Irene Traner, Dorothy Landgraf, and Neva Anderson Blankenship; several nieces; and four brothers-in-law: Don Traner, Robert Boudia, Tony Dvorak, and Keith Blankenship.Those remaining to cherish her memory include her husband, Dr. John Amdor of Defiance, IA; three children: John Amdor III, wife Maria, their children Kristine, Kathryn, Kiri, and her twin brother John IV of Council Bluffs, IA; Julie Stice, husband Richard, their children Nicholas, Heather, and Gregory of Fairview, TN; and Jason Amdor of Omaha, NE; three great-grandchildren; two brothers: Neil Schroeder of Burlington, IA, Cliff Schroeder and wife Judy of Williamsburg, VA; maternal aunt Irma Maas of Schleswig, IA; brother-in-law George Landgraf and wife Margaret of Odebolt, IA; sisters-in-law Ruth (Alvin) Klouda of Moline, IL, Mary Pat Gregerson-Dvorak of Tucson, AZ, and Judi (Raymond) Smith of West Des Moines, IA; cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and countless friends.Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison, Iowa with Father Paul Kelly as Celebrant and Father Robert J. Aubrey Concelebrating. Others participating in the mass included Servers: Joshua and Emma Ahrenholtz, Lectors: Judy Brodersen, Sarah Delanty, and Ann Hanson, Gift Bearers: Kristine and Kathryn Amdor, Eucharistic Ministers: Janice Stowe, Judi Smith, and Rosa Gregerson. Music for the Mass was provided by Cantor: Michelle Ahrenholtz, St. Rose of Lima Adult Choir under direction of Pat Menegay singing “ How Great Thou Art”, “I Am the Bread of Life” and “Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone” with accompanist Jean Cornelius. Soloists Ann Hanson singing “Ave Maria” and Vic Hanson singing “In Paradisum” were accompanied by Judy Rewerts. Pallbearers were Bill Gregerson, Nick Stice, Heather Stice, Gregory Stice, John Amdor IV, and Kiri Amdor. Private Family inurnment will be held at a later date. Immediately following services the family invited everyone to join them in the Parish Center for fellowship and a luncheon provided by St. Rose of Lima Ladies Guild. Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa was in charge of arrangements. A visitation was held on Monday, January 23, 2017, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Denison, Iowa beginning at 4:00 p.m. with a Rosary and concluding at 7:00 p.m. with a Parish Vigil led by Father Timothy Friedrichsen. A Congregational Hymn “How Great Thou Art” was sung at the vigil.