Mrs. Joyce Elaine Struble, age 96, of Exira, IA, passed away on Friday, September 25, 2026, at the MJ Estates – Exira Care Center in Exira, IA.
A memorial service for Joyce will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 09, 2026, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Exira, IA, with Pastor Heather Santi-Brown as the officiant. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home on Friday. Interment will take place following the memorial service at the Exira Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the Struble Family, to be designated at a later date in Memory of Joyce. They may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 201, Audubon, IA 50025.
The staff of Schmidt Family Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements for the Struble Family.
Joyce Elaine Struble was born on June 9th, 1930, to John and Mabel Slaven in Portsmouth, Iowa. Joyce started school at Portsmouth in the fall of 1936. That winter she and her parents moved to Exira where she attended a country school. Her cousin, Deryl, would often walk her to school. Later she would attend the Exira Community Schools.
She was eager to marry the love of her life, Kenny Struble, when he returned home from the Marines in 1947. The happy couple wed in Council Bluffs, Iowa, at the Episcopal Church on July 16, 1947, and enjoyed their honeymoon in South Dakota. They made their home on a farmstead north of Exira on Hwy 71. They farmed with Joyce’s father and her father-in-law.
During this time, Kenny and Joyce began their family. They were blessed with three children over the years, Robert, Roger, and Sharon. Joyce enjoyed being home with them. She, also, enjoyed gardening, sewing, quilting and baking.
In 1973, Kenny and Joyce opened the feed store in Exira called K&J Feed. Kenny, Joyce, and Roger ran the feed store with help from employees. In 1986 Joyce started working for Johnson Pharmacy and was employed there for 10 years. In 1994, they moved to town from the farm. Joyce and Kenny traveled to different places around the world; Norway, Canada, Sweden, and Denmark. Her favorite places were Spain and Hawaii. They also took a cruise down the Mississippi River and a cruise on the Snake River. Spending time with family and friends was so important to Joyce. She loved family traditions, especially during the holidays.
Joyce attended the Exira Federated Church where she was an active member for many years. She then became a member of the Atlantic United Church of Christ. Her faith and love of Christ have been her strength, and ever evident in her love of others. Joyce enjoyed her time at MJ Estates in Exira. A special thank you to all the staff at MJ estates for your care and compassion over the years.
Preceding her in death was her brother, Robert Slaven, her parents, John and Mabel Slaven, her husband, Kenneth Struble, and her son, Roger Struble.
Survivors include her children: Robert and Carol Struble of Ames, IA, Sharon and Pete Eivins of Ankeny, IA. Grandchildren: Stephanie and Paul Beckett of Clive, IA, Steve and Amy Struble of Clinton, IA, Wade Eivins and Heather Anderson of Ankeny, IA, Crystal and Eric Sadler of Nevada, IA, Blair Struble of Marshalltown, IA, Alissa and Cole Qualheim of Euless, TX. Great Grandchildren: Sarah and Matthew Daisy of Ankeny, IA, Kate and Abby Struble, Lillian and Ginger Sadler of Nevada, IA, Mason and Caden Eivins of Ankeny, IA, Cora and Jaq Qualheim of Euless, TX.
The Struble Family wants to thank all local Exira Business’s for their love and support for Joyce.
A memorial service for Joyce will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 09, 2026, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Exira, IA, with Pastor Heather Santi-Brown as the officiant. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home on Friday. Interment will take place following the memorial service at the Exira Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the Struble Family, to be designated at a later date in Memory of Joyce. They may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 201, Audubon, IA 50025.
The staff of Schmidt Family Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements for the Struble Family.
