Joyce E. Mailey

Tuesday, July 3, 2018 5:50 pm

Joyce E. Mailey, 95, passed away at Linn Manor Care center in Marion June 26, 2018. Graveside services are at St Bridget’s Cemetery, Bluffton on a later date.

She was born April 9, 1923, on a farm in Winneshiek County to John and Edith (Hiller) Schnitzler. She attended rural country schools and graduated eighth grade. She continued living at home and helped with chores and drove tractor on the family farm, while her brothers fought in WWII.

She married Gerald M. Mailey Feb. 16, 1944. They farmed in Winneshiek County, eventually settling in Decorah. She worked at Wapsie Produce but her main occupation was caring for and loving her family. The Mailey family includes Susan (Alan) Ellickson of Decorah, Luella (Jack) Wise of Foley, Ala., Donna Koranda of Dublin, Ohio, Gerald (Juli) Mailey Jr. of Omaha, Neb., Don (Charla) Mailey of Minnetrista, Minn. and Dawn Goldsmith of Columbus, Ohio. The family moved to Cedar Rapids in 1963. Joyce divorced in 1969, and continued to live in the area until her death. She worked for many years at Bishops Café in Lindale Mall and her family enjoyed Chocolate Ambrosia and Tom & Jerry pies from Bishops on holidays and special occasions. She was a NASCAR fan, with Darrell Waltrip being her favorite driver. She attended races in Charlotte, N.C. and Brooklyn, Mich. She followed Iowa Hawkeye Basketball and attended tournament games in Alaska, California and the Caribbean. She also loved watching the Chicago Cubs on TV. She was affectionately known as “Granny Two Shoes” by her 21 grandchildren.

She is survived by her children: Gretchen (Ron) DeVilder of Marshalltown, Susan (Alan) Ellickson, Luella (Jack) Wise, Donna Koranda, Gerald (Juli) Mailey Jr, Don (Charla) Mailey, Dawn Goldsmith; brothers, Charlie Schnitzler and Don (Carol) Schnitzler; sisters, Edna Schrandt and Dorothy (Ron) Barth; 21 grandchildren and many great and great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Edith Schnitzler; former husband, Gerald Mailey; brothers: Carl Schnitzler, John Schnitzler, Milton Schnitzler; sister, Margaret Kamp; brothers and sisters-in-law: Mabel Schnitzler, Julie Marhoul, Fran Schnitzler, Ted Schrandt and Kenneth Faaberg.

Memorials may be made to St Bridget’s Cemetery at 116 3rd St. Cresco, or the Rebecca Houser Foundation, in care of First State Bank of Sumner at 1150 W 1st St. Sumner.