Joyce Elaine Spangenberg, age 95, of Red Oak, Iowa formerly of Clarinda, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at Arlington Place in Red Oak. Joyce was born November 4, 1930, in Oakland, Iowa, the daughter of Ernest and Mildred (Hays) LeRette. The family lived in various places throughout southwest Iowa including Wales, Iowa, where Joyce graduated from Wales Lincoln High School in 1948 and then attended Commercial Extension in Omaha, Nebraska. She was united in marriage to Edward Spangenberg on January 31, 1953, in Oakland, Iowa. They lived in Red Oak for several years where Joyce worked at Union Carbide Battery Company. They moved to Clarinda in 1962. Over the years, Joyce worked for Cramer Jewelry, Lisle Corporation, Sherwin Williams, Clarinda Company, and the First Christian Church where she retired. She and Ed moved back to Red Oak in 1994. Joyce was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Red Hat Society, Jaycee Jaynes, Clarinda Booster Club, and was a sports enthusiast never missing a school event in Clarinda or Red Oak. The Red Oak Athletic Boosters awarded Joyce and Ed as “Fans of the Year” and they were Grand Marshalls of the Homecoming Parade that year. Joyce was always very kind and willing to help anyone in need. She was a friend to anyone that knew her. The grandkids and great grandkids were her most valued treasure. Her world revolved around her whole family. Joyce enjoyed working in her yard, tending to her flowers, playing games like cards, dominoes, trivia, and Bingo, and spending time with family and friends. Joyce and Ed shared good times with many friends at the Elks Lodge in both Shenandoah and Red Oak where Ed was a member.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband: Ed; son-in-law: Rudy Kinard; grandson: Brett Kinard; brother: Charles “Richard” LeRette; sisters: Janice Palmer and Joan Selser; brothers-in-law: Shorty Palmer, Albert Selser, and Don Spangenberg; and sisters-in-law: Marcia LeRette and Emily Spangenberg. Survivors include her children: Barbara Kinard of Papillion, NE and Randy Spangenberg and wife Angie of Harlan, IA; grandchildren: Chase Kinard of Council Bluffs, IA; Maci Fort and husband Jordan of Papillion, NE; Jared Spangenberg and wife Tricia of Harlan, IA; Brock Spangenberg and wife Kristina of Elkhorn, NE; and Paige Baumert and husband Beau of Elkhorn, NE; great grandchildren: Marenn and Hugh Fort; Jacob, Brett, Kate, Zac, Elle, and Ava Spangenberg; and Jack, Ryan, and Liv Baumert; sister: Judy Boeger and husband Ed of Atlantic, IA; brother-in-law: JE Spangenberg and wife Deanna of Stanton, IA; special cousin: Carroll Danbom of Red Oak, IA; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and many friends.
A celebration of life service will be held at 11 AM Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at the LeRette Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation.
LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
