Obituary of Joyce Grim

Joyce Colvin Grim, age 97 of Spirit Lake, Iowa died Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at Northshire in Spencer, Iowa. 

A Celebration of Life for Joyce will be held on Friday, June 2nd, 2023 at the Dickinson County Nature Center. Come & Go from 10am-2pm. Burial will take place at 3:00pm at the Milford Cemetery up on the hill. 

Joyce was born On June 2nd, 1925 in Milford, Iowa to Cyril & Lou(Wilson) Colvin. She was raised in Milford with her three siblings; Willa Jean, Bud and John and attended Milford schools until she graduated in 1943. Joyce, along with classmate Aubry LaFoy, were the last of the old guard representing the graduating class. 

Joyce had three husbands. She was blessed with five children; Cherl Vaux Bauer, Tyree Earle Vaux, Olivia “Susie” Smith Rieter, Julie Smith Welle, Cindy Smith Hawn. Joyce was then again blessed with 12 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and 7 great great grandchildren. 

Joyce was a hard worker and had many jobs over the years to help support her family. 

At a young age she was one of the vital women that worked at an ammunition plant during the war times. Joyce packed boxes of shells to be shipped out to the boys and men that were fighting for our country. Her patriotism blossomed from there and held strong until her last day. She loved the American flag and all that it represented! Joyce was a lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary and was involved in running several programs year in and year out like; Flag Ceremonies, “I Love America”- essay contest, distributing poppies, apples for teachers during National Education Week, memorial services for deceased members, flower deliveries to care centers, cemetery pots and much more! Needless to say, Joyce was a very patriotic woman having a great deal of care for our Veterans.  

In her free time Joyce was an avid golfer. It was not unusual for her and Daisy to breakfast downtown, play nine holes, lunch at the clubhouse, play another nine holes and then stay on for league 2-ball! 

Joyce had a great sense of humor and was very quick-witted. She loved a funny joke and with her half-crooked smile her giggle was like no other. Her spunkiness and ability to tell it like it was always rang true. 

Joyce loved staying busy! Chipping in to help others with garage sales, working Crazy Days, planning family gatherings, trips to the grocery store- mostly to talk to friends, lunch or dinner at Remmingtons, late night phone calls, and of course making the rounds to see her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She attended their sporting events, plays, grandparent days, and any ceremonies they were part of (and if any flag etiquette was not being followed, she let them know!) Mostly she loved sharing stories about her daughters and grandchildren with all of her friends. She was truly proud of her family. 

Joyce is survived by her daughters; Cherl, Susie, Julie, Cindy and Son-in-laws. Numerous Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, Great-Great Grandchildren and many nieces & nephews. In addition to many others that love her dearly.

Joyce was preceded in death by her son, Tyree Vaux, her parents, Lou & Cy Colvin, sister & brother-in-law, Willa Jean & Harvey Dobson, brother & sister-n-law, Bud & Lois Colvin, brother Jon Colvin, son-in-law Skip Reiter, son-in-law Gary Simpson, grandson Brad Simpson, grandson Kyle Drey, three husbands; Vincent Vaux, Ben Smith, Ray Grim and a dear friend E.B Fee (Cocky)

In Lieu of flowers, donations will go towards the Joyce Grim VFW Auxiliary Educational Scholarship

Please join us to Celebrate a life well lived on June 2nd!