Joyce Isabelle Kent

Joyce Isabelle Kent, 91, quietly passed away on April 5, 2012 at Bickford Cottage in West Des Moines. Services will be held at St. Augustin’s Catholic Church on Thursday, April 12, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the Mass and family will greet friends again following the service. Private burial will be at Glendale Cemetery.

Joyce was born on a farm near Harris, Iowa on November 20, 1920 to Herman and Gertrude (Umland) Screeden. After graduation from Harris High School, she moved to Des Moines and received a business school degree. She worked at Bankers Life and then met and married the love of her life, Walter Kent in 1941. She became a dedicated mother to four children and homemaker. In 1968, she joined Kemin Industries as their bookkeeper, and retired in 1985 as their Chief Financial Officer. She was a young 56 years of age when Walt died, and learned to depend on her faith, family, friends and many interests to sustain her. Joyce’s loves were her family, nature, athletics and travel. She saw every part of the world, sometimes with her family as well as with her many friends. She frequently took part in Elder hostels, combining travel and educational opportunities, believing that it is never too late to learn something new. Joyce loved participating in sports, taking up tennis at age 60 and meeting her “Y” buddies for water aerobics daily. She always cheered for the Hawkeyes and her grandchildren’s teams. Her flower and vegetable gardens were an inspiration.

This was a fun loving and active lady, yet she was always ready to help others. She was a Hospice Volunteer. This service was returned to her as she received the loving care of Hospice the last months of her life. Her family is grateful to them as well as the wonderful staff at Bickford Cottage, where she lived comfortably for the past nineteen months.

She will be greatly missed by her children, Stephen (Carol) Kent, Mary (Bob) Fanter, Jane (Ron) Weakley and James Kent,; her grandchildren, James (Lisa) Kent, Christine (Bob) Bailey, Catherine (Pat) Weis, Katherine (Kelsey) Byus, Rob Fanter, Sarah (Brian) Schuler, Jessica (Danny) Canarick, Johanna (Dave) Venables; and nine great-grandchildren. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; and brother, William Screeden and her husband, Walter.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to HCI Care Services, (formerly Hospice), 2910 Westown Parkway, Ste. #200, West Des Moines, IA 50266 or to Anawim Housing, 2024 Forest Ave., #101, Des Moines, IA 50311. Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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