Joyce Rundle
Wednesday, July 23, 1930
Date of Death:
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Age:
89 years old
Wednesday, July 23, 1930
Date of Death:
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Age:
89 years old
Wednesday, July 23, 1930
Date of Death:
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Age:
89 years old
Joyce Rundle
Joyce Kathleen Driscoll Rundle died calmly at home on June 23, surrounded by her family, just 30 days shy of reaching her goal of living to age 90. She is survived by her devoted husband Richard, and her four children who loved her beyond measure: Thomas (Dawn Holm) of Fargo, ND, Kathleen of Bloomington, MN, Carolyn (Jeff) Piepho of Rochester, MN and Anne (Steve) Billings of Webster, WI. Her seven grandchildren were the brightest lights of her life: Colin (Lauren) Piepho, Robert (Xaire) Billings, Michael Billings, Chloe (Luke) Corey, Brian (Kay) Billings, Evan Piepho and Carly Rundle-Borchert.
Joyce grew up in Minneapolis where she graduated from North High School. She married Richard in 1950 at age 20 and worked in the audit department of IDS to help put him through college. After their children finished elementary school Joyce devoted much of her time to volunteer work, serving with United Way Minneapolis’ First Call for Help for several years; then working with Meals on Wheels. Always willing to comfort others, she would read to nursing home residents and was a helpmate to ill friends. After Richard retired, they moved to the lake home they built on Bass Lake in Webster, WI, and made many friends. She joined the Webster Lioness, contributing to numerous bake sales.
To know Joyce was to love her. She had a special way of making you feel as though you were the most important person in her presence. Her natural and authentic love for and interest in people were signature traits and Joyce was known for her kindness, her beauty, her red Irish hair and, in her young years, her singing voice as a member of the Twin Cities Symphonic Chorus.
Joyce and Richard traveled a good bit, her favorite destination — her beloved Ireland where she visited twice. Though just 50% Irish by ancestry, her devotion to the Irish tradition of caring and love of the land made her at least 90% Irish. She looked sensational in green. How much she will be missed would take an Irish poet to tell.
Joyce was an avid reader and outstanding cook. Her ability to taste nuances in food was legendary, even at the end. She once proclaimed she tasted cornstarch in her yogurt and upon reading the ingredients, sure enough, cornstarch was the second listing. Her recipes can be found in family and friends’ kitchens in Minneapolis, Winona, Rochester and beyond. Joyce was also an enthusiastic patron of the Commonweal Theatre, and in later life, became an avid player of Mah Jong.
A memorial service is planned for a later date at the Rochester Unitarian Universalist Church once the COVID-19 curse abates.
We would like to thank Seasons Hospice who provided such tender loving care to Joyce during her final month of life. Memorial offerings may be sent to the First Unitarian Universalist Church – 1727 Walden Lane SW, Rochester MN, 55902 or to Seasons Hospice – 1696 Greenview Drive SW, Rochester, MN, 55902.
Condolences
The family of Joyce Rundle has received the following condolences.
Dear Dick, Carolyn and family,
My deepest sympathy for the loss of your wife, mother and grandmother. I trust the love you share will bouy you through this challenging time of loss. I send you all love and prayers.
Kelly Rae Kirkpatrick
There are so many memories! Our family is very blessed to be friends with the Rundle family. Joyce will be missed by us all. I remember her as being a great mom to her kids and a special, life-long friend to my mom. She was always kind, always. Could anyone ever age as beautifully and gracefully as Joyce?! Dick, Tom, Kathy, Caroline and Annie - our hearts and prayers are with you at this difficult time and always. We love you. Diane and the rest of the Way family.
To Joyce's family,
I had the pleasure of getting to know Joyce through playing Mahjong on Thursdays. I always saw such Joy on Joyce's face no matter how she felt. I just loved listening her talk about her family and how proud she was of all of you. Every time we meet she brought out her little bag of chocolates so we could have a treat. Truly you have a very wonderful angel watching over all of you. I do know how much you are going to miss Joyce's presents on earth. If you can hold in your hearts that Joyce is home.....in no pain.....with the most joyful face.....I am so happy I had the chance to meet and become a friend of Joyce, Thank you for sharing Joyce with me.
Joy,
Deborah Schroeder
I'm sending my love to all of you at this most difficult time. Joyce was my dear friend for 56 years. I cherish the memories we shared. We were together through the ups and downs of life. Our girls grew up together. Dear Anne, you spent so much time with us you were like a fourth daughter. My heart goes out to each of you: Dick, Tom, Kathy, Carolyn and Anne. The memory of Joyce will always be with me.
May she rest in peace...remember the good times and moments...so sorry for your loss...love, Jack and Arlene
Dear Family,
What a blessing it was to see Joyce at Brian's wedding! I know she was tired, but she just beamed with her special loving light and said how much she would love to see my Mom again. I'm sorry that didn't happen for them. I will always remember her as my graceful, beautiful Aunt Joyce and loving mother to my dear Rundle cousins. Sending my love and prayers for peace in the days ahead.
What a wonderful, spunky obituary and gorgeous picture too.
Love you all,
Cousin Beth
What a beautiful tribute. Love and joy in every line. This is the story of a life well lived, told by a family forever enriched by her. Warmwstvthoughts are with you.
You will discover that she remains in your heart to the point you will her voice and emote her love. It works for me pal. Sorry for your loss.
What an incredibly kind and thoughtful woman. For a shy girl at a party or gala, she was a sanctuary, a shelter where I never once felt invisible, like a wallflower. The world feels a little less safe, a little more dark without her. But she will always be a refuge in my memory and heart.
Dear Dick and the Rundle family--I was very sorry to learn of Joyce's death and your loss: she was a kind, generous person who brightened everything. I have very fond memories of our times together at St. Mary's. Wishing you all the best. George Muellner
We are so sorry for your loss. Joyce always made you feel like a part of the family. She will truly be missed. Our thoughts and prayers to all her family.
Oh my, Kathy, I'm so sorry. The circle of life.....goes on. That she lived so full and long is fabulous. Thinking of you,
Love,
Margo
Dear Carolyn and Family,
Our deepest condolences for the loss of your mother/grandmother. We hope that the love and support of family and friends help you through this time of loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
With sympathy,
Ellen, John, Olivia, Beatrice and Cooper Huston