Esther Joyce (Spaulding) Hickey

SHENANDOAH, Iowa, — Esther Joyce (Spaulding) Hickey, 91, Shenandoah, Iowa, formerly of the Northboro and Thurman, Iowa, areas, died Jan. 21, 2022, at her home surrounded by her family

A memorial service and burial will be held May 28, 2022, in Thurman.

Joyce was born to Arthur and Ann (Mattingly) Spaulding April 22, 1930, in Ottawa, Ill. She was the youngest of six children. She grew up in Mendota, Ill., and graduated from high school there in 1948. Joyce married Gerald Lowell Hickey July 9, 1950, while attending Chicago Wesley Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. After graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1951, they moved to the Thurman area. In 1953, they moved to Shenandoah, where Joyce worked as an RN at Hand Community Hospital and later, at Grape Hospital, Hamburg, Iowa. She also did private nursing for homebound clients in Shenandoah, and worked for the Page County Health Department until she retired.

Joyce was a wonderful seamstress and loved to sew for her three daughters, son, and all of her grandchildren. She loved being able to teach them how to sew. She was a dedicated Girl Scout leader from 1960-1974. Many hours were spent planning Girl Scout activities, including many fundraisers for the trips she planned, including Washington, South Dakota, Kentucky and Savannah, Ga., for her scouts. She served as a Day Camp Director for all the Girl Scouts (Brownies to Seniors) in Shenandoah for many years.

Joyce loved to travel and was always ready to go anywhere. Summers brought vacations to visit family and friends all over the country. Weekend camping trips were special times spent with family and friends. Joyce was also a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

In 1980, Joyce and Gerald moved to their farm in Northboro, Iowa. She enjoyed raising all sorts of small animals but enjoyed the goats and peacocks the most. She always had a special dog or cat to raise, also.

Joyce is survived by her children, Paula Sothman, Shenandoah, Iowa; Brenda (Doug) Cappel, Deer Park, Wash.; Patsy (Gerry) Thoene, Hartington; and Leonard (Shana) Hickey, Hinton, Iowa; 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and many special nieces, nephews and friends.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald, Sept. 12, 2019; her parents; sisters, Lou Alice, Naomi, Anna Mae and Ette Garnett; and her brother, Arthur Judson.