In Memory of Joy Michaelsen

Joy Michaelsen, age 90, of Ida Grove, Iowa passed away on Sunday, August 12, 2018, at the Willow Dale Wellness Village of Battle Creek, Iowa.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 17, 2018, at the First United Methodist Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Rev. Chad Lierman will officiate. A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, August 16, 2018, at the Christensen – Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen -Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

   Joy Michaelsen, the daughter of Leslie and Vera (Kelso) Kolb, was born on December 19, 1927, in Logan Township, Ida County. Joy grew up on the family farm in Logan Township where she attended Logan #2 country school through the 8^th grade.  She graduated from Ida Grove High School with the class of 1944.

   After high school, Joy attended National Business Training School in Sioux City for 1 year. On November 23, 1947, Joy was united into marriage to Wendell E. Michaelsen in the Methodist Parsonage of Holstein, Iowa. The couple were blessed with five children: Susan, Lorna, David, Melanie and Scott.

   Joy enjoyed being a mother and working at Foodland and part-time for the Midwest Chalet in Ida Grove, Iowa. She was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church of Ida Grove, Iowa, where she was active in KCQ and UMW. She was also a member of the Ida Grove American Legion Auxiliary and the Horn Memorial Auxiliary. 

   Joy liked making and delivering May Baskets, playing Bridge, Euchre, and 500. In her spare time she crocheted afghans, sewed blue jean quilts, golfed, gardened, walked “early” every day, and took pleasure in entertaining her family and friends.  Joy lived an active and full life and will be missed by all who loved her.

   Left to cherish her memory are her children: Susan (Don) Woodward of Ticonic, IA, Lorna (Clifford) McKay of Beeville, TX, David (Linda) Michaelsen of Corpus Christi, TX, Melanie (Joel) Hokanson of Fairmont, MN and Scott (Rebecca) Michaelsen of Ida Grove, IA; 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren plus a baby boy on the way; sisters: Joanne Nelson of Cherokee, IA, Mary Lou Messick of Peachtree City, GA and Nancy (Curt) Rupert of Holstein, IA; sister-in-law Delores (Dale) Meyer of Holstein, IA; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

   Joy was preceded in death by her husband Wendell Michaelsen; parents Leslie and Vera Kolb; parents-in-law Roy and Minnie Michaelsen; brothers and sister-in-law Wayne and Lois Michaelsen, Sherm Nelson and Al Messick; great-grandson Caleb Michaelsen; and nephew Greg Nelson.