A memorial service for Joyce E. Thornburg, 86, of Estherville, was held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at the Henry-Olson Funeral Home in Estherville with Father Brian Feller, celebrant. Interment was held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery, Estherville. She died Friday, March 6, 2026, at Aspire of Estherville.
Visitation was one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Joyce Elaine Thornburg, the daughter of George and Julia (Theesfeld) Reuland, was born on April 14, 1939, in Estherville, Iowa.
Joyce graduated from Superior High School in 1957 before attending teletypist school in Omaha.
She married Don Thornburg on April 19, 1958, and to this union, two sons were born, Dennis and David.
Joyce worked for the Daily News in Estherville for 25 years. In her free time, she enjoyed quilting, BINGO, bridge and bowling. She was known as the “Pie Lady of Estherville” and was asked to bring a pie to every function.
Joyce and Don spent their winters in Arizona from 1985-2019. She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.
Joyce is survived by her husband, Don Thornburg of Estherville; son, Dennis Thornburg of Manhattan, KS; grandsons, Justin (Allie) Thornburg and Jordan (Stephanie) Thornburg; great-grandchildren, Evelyn, Eleanor, George, Thomas, Hendrick, and Tatum; three sisters, Nora Jean Charles, of CA, Patricia Heidecker of Indianapolis, IN, and Barbara Rhen, of Omaha, NE; as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Julia (Theesfeld) Reuland, her son, David Thornburg, sister, Mary Ellen Carter, and brothers-in-law, Duane Heidecker and Rosco Rhen.
Online condolences may be left for Joyce’s family at HenryOlsonFuneral.com.
