Joyce Ann Rittenhouse Burch beloved child of God and cherished by all she touched, was embraced by her maker and called home on September 10, 2021.
She was born on November 26, 1931 in Davenport, IA. Daughter of Vaughn C. Rittenhouse and Dorothy W. Rittenhouse. She was married to William K. Burch Sr. June 22, 1954.
She graduated from Davenport High School in 1949 and entered the Nursing Program at the University of Iowa. She graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1956. Achieved ARNP Degree in 1980 specializing Pediatric Medicine. She was hired as a school nurse by the Des Moines Public School system in 1967. She was awarded School Nurse of the Year for the State of Iowa in 1993. She spent the main body of her working tenure at David Smouse School, working with special needs children.
Retired in 1992, Joyce and Bill became snowbirds wintering in Llano Grande, TX. They traveled extensively in the United States bird watching, camping, and fishing. She loved sewing, quilting, and knitting.
She was a member of the Iowa School Nurse Organization and the Iowa Ornithological Union. She was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church where she was a Stephen’s Minister and member of the quilting club.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William K. Burch Sr. and daughter Ruth K. Lyles (Chris).
She is survived by son William K. Burch, Jr. (Martha), daughter Kathleen K. Myers, grandchild Derek L. Myers (Tracy) and great-grandchildren Connor L. O’Donnel-Myers, Taryn K. Myers, and Benjamin W. Myers.
She had many friends and associates throughout her life and career. She loved to entertain. She was known as “the hostess with the mostest”. Holidays were always a treat. She will be greatly missed.
Services will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Saturday, October 2nd at 1:00pm. Charitable contributions can be made in her name to St. Joseph’s Indian School P.O. Box 326, Chamberlain, SD 57326.
