Joyce A. Bender-Cooper

 Joyce A. Bender-Cooper, 88, of Solon, Iowa passed away peacefully Friday, March 22, 2024. 

Celebration of Life Services will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 30, at St. John Lutheran Church in Ely.  Friends may visit with the family after 2 p.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the church. Inurnment will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City at a later date. Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Solon is serving the family.   

Joyce Ann was born May 31, 1935, in Clear Lake, the daughter of Orville G. and Pearl S. (Walton) Olson. She attended Clear Lake High School and then obtained her AA Degree from NIACC in Mason City. She taught elementary students for many years. She married Charles R. Bender on Dec. 26, 1954. He passed on Jan. 17, 1984. Joyce reunited with her high school sweetheart, Richard L. Cooper, whom she married on Nov. 27, 1991.  

Joyce enjoyed traveling, quilting, cooking and baking. She spent many hours volunteering at St. John Lutheran Church in Ely. She loved spending time with her family and especially her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Joyce is survived by her husband, Richard; children, Mark (Pam Neudorff) Bender, Jeffery (Rita) Bender, Carolyn (James) Lipcamon, Michael (Mary) Bender, Tim (Krista) Cooper and Scott Cooper; 20 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; brother, Myron (Arlene) Olson; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her parents; son, Shawn A. Bender; brother, Dean Olson; and sister, Marilyn (Dorance) Rosendahl. 

Memorials may be directed to the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com