Joyce Ann (Wallis) Kenney (86) of Vinton, Iowa passed away peacefully on October 25, 2026, at St. Luke’s Hospital surrounded by her family and pastor.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 am on Friday, November 6, 2026, at Oak Grove Church, Shellsburg, Iowa, with Pastor Matt Magee officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 am until the time of the service. Phillips Funeral Home is caring for Joyce and her family.

Joyce was born on October 9, 1940, in Mondamin, IA, to Willard and Erma (Baldwin) Wallis, Sr. After a brief move to California, her parents moved back to Iowa where Willard was hired as a farm hand for the McQuilken Farm outside of Mt. Auburn. Later, Willard and Erma inherited the farm located northwest of Mt. Auburn. It was here; Joyce grew to love the outdoors, learned to drive a tractor, and developed a strong work-ethic. She graduated from Laporte City High School in 1958, then attended and graduated in 1959 from the Waterloo School of Beauty Culture, Waterloo, Iowa. She became employed and worked in Vinton as a beautician after graduation. She enjoyed going to Danceland with her girlfriends where she met her husband of 66 years, Dick Kenney. When Dick saw Joyce, he knew she was the one for him. They were married on October 9, 1960. They spent most of their married life living in or near Vinton, with a brief residence in Maynard, Iowa.

Joyce loved her family and was a devoted wife and mother. Because she married a man who loved to fish, she took it upon herself to learn the sport as well. She could back up a boat trailer, tie and bait a hook, and cast out a line as well as anyone. She knew where to fish for walleye and spent many trips to the float on the Mississippi or to Elkader to fish for trout. She was also an avid mushroom hunter and looked forward to the hunt every spring.

Joyce was a wonderful cook, as Dick would often say,” he married the best cook in town." She made delicious breads, kolaches, and her carrot cake became a common request by many. She was also a wonderful seamstress and spent many hours sewing quilts for her family as well as other sewing projects. Most of what Joyce did was for the benefit of others as she was very selfless. For two of her daughters’ weddings, she sewed their wedding dressings as well as bridesmaid dresses. Everything Joyce did, she did well. She lived by the motto: “If you're going to do something, do it right". Joyce was a lady with a gentle heart and a pioneer spirit. She was not afraid to roll up her sleeves and get her hands dirty to change a tire, yet still have such a sweet, humble demeanor. All who knew Joyce grew to love her. Her faith and love for Jesus was apparent in the way she lived her life.

Joyce is survived by her daughters Raelene Parker of Newhall, IA , Roxanne (Bill) Ervin of Vinton, Robin Kenney of Vinton , and Ronda Kenney of Delhi, IA,; son Rodney (Tara) Kenney of Ottumwa, IA; ten grandchildren: Genevieve (Matthew) Monthie, Brandie (Caleb Bailey) McCracken, Ashtin (Kyle) Dundee, Jake (Katie) Fish, David (Jena) Ervin, Emily (Mike) Mathews, Daniel (Olivia) Ervin, Evan Parker, Brooklynne (Henry) Kellar, Carson Kenney; and great-grandchildren: Ella, Kayley, Charlotte, Chandler, Elijah, Aiden, Landon, Mason, Owen, Jaxon, Myla, Luke, Levi, Lucy, Nora, Arlo, and Amelia. She is also survived by her brothers, Willard (Karen) Wallis, Jr., Owen Wallis, and sister JoAnn (Lloyd Eilderts) Wallis, her brother-in-law Darrell Kenney and sister-in-law Janet Kenney. She was preceded in death by her parents, Willard and Erma Wallis, father and mother-in-law, Lewis and Leta Kenney, brothers-in-law, Dean Kenney and Jerry Usher, sisters-in-law, Lavonne Kenney, Janice Wallis, Beverly Kenney, and Mary Vogt, and an infant granddaughter, Mya Kenney.

Joyce’s heart was to serve and care for others. In lieu of flowers, a love gift may be given to Oak Grove Church (indicate by writing memorial on check memo or envelope). Memorial donations will be directed to the Benevolent Fund, which helps care for others in their time of need.

Joyce will be remembered for her kind heart, self-less actions, deep love for her family, and strong faith in the Lord.