Memorial services for Joy Nielsen, 95, of Cherokee, formerly of Aurelia, will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday, December 21, 2013, at the First Congregational Church in Aurelia, with Pastor Bruce Rapp officiating.  There will be no visitation. The Redig Funeral Home in Aurelia is in charge of arrangements.

Helen Joy Dailey was born on April 30, 1918, the daughter of Harry and Pearl (Beeghley) Dailey at Aurelia, Iowa. She attended Aurelia Elementary and graduated from the Aurelia High School in 1935. She then attended ST. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Sioux City, graduating in 1939.

On November 11, 1942 Joy married Earl Nielsen at her parents’ home. Joy was an RN at Sioux Valley Hospital for many years. She enjoyed baking and was well known for her pies and cookies that she shared with many friends and neighbors. She loved to travel with Earl in their trailer. They were lucky enough to visit 48 states and parts of Canada. Joy enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, and took special joy in her great-grandchildren. She was an avid reader, always had a book she was reading or re-reading.

Joy died Thursday, December 19, 2013 at Careage Hills Nursing Home in Cherokee.

Preceding Joy in death were her parents, an infant son, her husband Earl on December 31, 2004, her brother Floyd and his wife Ellen Dailey, grandson Jeff Calvert, son-in-law Craig Menefee, and one nephew Mike Dailey.

Survivors include her children; James and his wife LuAnn Nielsen of Granger, IA, Patricia Nielsen and her husband Roger Stoakes of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Joan Menefee of Boone, IA, one granddaughter, Carrie and her husband Erik Lundy of Des Moines, IA, two great-grandchildren, Josie Lundy and Megan Lundy of Des Moines, and other relatives and friends.