Joyce P. Brink, age 87, of Ames, passed away on Wednesday, July 15, 2020 at the Israel Family Hospice House.
Friends may call from 2:00 until 4:00 P.M. on Sunday, July 19, 2020 at the Adams Funeral Home, 502 Douglas Ave., Ames, Iowa. Per Joyce's request, following the visitation her body will be donated to the University of Iowa for the advancement of science.
Joyce was born to Dr. James P. and Edwina Rowan in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was the youngest of four daughters. She grew up in Wisconsin and later moved to Chicago to work for Capital Airlines as a ticket agent. There, she met her future husband Rodney Brink to whom she was married for 64 years. Rod and Joyce were married on September 3, 1955 and made their home in Chicago, and Lombard, Illinois for several years during which time, they had two sons.
In 1962, they moved to Estherville, Iowa where Joyce stayed home to raise three sons and one daughter. Later, she worked for the Estherville School system and was active in the Estherville Order of Eastern Star.
In 1983, Joyce and Rod moved to Ames, Iowa where she worked for Iowa State University at the soil testing laboratory, College of Education, and Veterinary Medicine Library. Joyce and Rod were members of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames.
Joyce enjoyed spending time at her and Rod's lake cabin at Spirit Lake, Iowa. She enjoyed spending time with family and her many friends, and taking family trips, Elderhostel trips, and cruises.
Joyce is survived by her husband, Rod of Ames; children: Eric Brink (Gayle) of Pleasantville, CA, Scott Brink of Denver, CO, Tom Brink (Chenyi) of Taipei, Taiwan, Nancy Dickerson (Bob) of West Des Moines, IA; and grandchildren: David Brink, Anne Brink, Jacqui Brink, Charlotte Brink, Andrew Dickerson, Nathan Dickerson, and Daniel Dickerson. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and her cat, Lucy.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. James and Edwina Rowan; and three sisters, Jean Papke, June Shaw, and Joan Frank.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Adams Funeral Home and online condolences may be left for Joyce's family at www.adamssoderstrum.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Joyce's name may be directed to Furry Friends Refuge, 1211 Grand Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50265 or the Ames Animal Shelter, 515 Clark Ave., Ames, Iowa 50010.
