Joyce Ellen (Anderson) Broell

Joyce E. Broell, 73, of Cedar Falls, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, June 3, 2024 at UnityPoint Allen Hospital in Waterloo.

Joyce was born on February 21, 1951, at St. Francis Hospital in Waterloo, daughter of Melvin and Lila (Krueger) Anderson. She attended Dunkerton Community School District, graduating in 1969. After high school, Joyce enrolled at Gates Business College in Waterloo, graduating with a Secretarial Degree. Employment included Morris Printing, College Hill Print Shop, and Northwestern Bell. While at the College Hill Print Shop, she typed the Northern Iowan, the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) newspaper.

In 1972, Joyce was united in marriage to Thomas Joseph Broell at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Gilbertville, Iowa. On May 2, 1974, this union was blessed with the birth of a son, Travis John, born at Schoitz Memorial Hospital in Waterloo.

In 1980, Joyce started working temporary positions at UNI, and in July of 1982, she began her career there. While at UNI, she worked in two colleges: the College of Education (COE) and the College of Humanities, Art and Sciences (CHAS). In each college, Joyce worked in the office of the Dean. While at CHAS, she was secretary to four Deans. On April 4, 2019, a retirement party was held in the Commons Ballroom on the UNI Campus for Joyce and all the CHAS employees who were retiring. After 37 years, Joyce retired on August 1, 2019.

Her biggest interest was taking massive amounts of photos of her grandchildren, family, friends, and travels. One of her proudest accomplishments was attending nearly every sporting event or concert her grandkids participated in. Joyce was very active in her community. She worked with Black Hawk County Veterans Affairs and Veterans in the Park meals, as well as Iowa Vets Day and UAW Region 4 Vets Days. She was also very proud to work with the Sullivan Hartogh Davis Cedar Valley Honor Flights. Joyce was a member of the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Post 19 in Waterloo, and AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Post 49 in Cedar Falls, serving as secretary for both. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church for over 40 years, serving on the Alter Guild, Call Committee, Church Council, communion server, greater, and various other committees.

Joyce is survived by her husband of 52 years, Thomas Broell of Cedar Falls; son, Travis Broell (Frea Errington) of Marion; two grandchildren, Grace and Tayt Broell; two siblings, Mary (Lyndon) Maynard of Cedar Falls, and Glen (Frieda) Anderson of San Antonio, TX; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Melvin and Lila Anderson; and parents-in-law, Rollie and Betty Broell.

A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Sunday, June 16, 2024, at St. John Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, with visitation an hour prior. Please join the family for a reception immediately following the memorial service in the St. John Fellowship Hall. Memorial contributions in Joyce's honor may be directed to the Sullivan Hartogh Davis Cedar Valley Honor Flights, P.O. Box 182, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613.