Joyce Bower, 69, of Massena

Funeral Services:  Will be held on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the Massena Baptist Church with burial following in the Massena Center Cemetery.  A luncheon will be held at the church following the burial.  Pastor Josh Heisterkamp will officiate the service.  The Lamb Funeral Home in Massena is in charge of the professional arrangements.  Online condolences may be left to the family at to be www.lambfuneralhomes.com.

Open Visitation:  Will be held on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at the Lamb Funeral Home in Massena from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Family Visitation:  The family will greet friends on Wednesday evening at the Lamb Funeral Home in Massena from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Memorials:  May be directed to the Joyce Bower Memorial Fund to be established by the family at a later date.

   Joyce Arlene Bower was born January 5, 1954, the daughter of Russell and Caia (Worthington) Sothman in Greenfield, Iowa.  She passed away surrounded by her family on April 13, 2023, at her home north of Massena at the age of 69.
   Joyce grew up in Cumberland and loved raising her horses.  She graduated from Cumberland-Massena High School in 1972 and then went on to Stewart School of Cosmetology in Council Bluffs.  On September 29, 1973, she was united in marriage to Dwight Bower in the Cumberland Baptist Church.  To this union four sons were born: Chris, Courtney, Charles and Derek.
   She worked for a couple beauty salons and then she was a stay at home mother raising her family.  She enjoyed caring for the people she met as a Home Care Aide after her family was grown.  Her greatest joy was being a mother, grandmother and wife of a farmer.  She enjoyed fishing, crafts, appliqueing sweatshirts and sewing.  For the last 15 years she was passionate about being the sexton at the Massena Center Cemetery.  
   She was preceded in death by her parents and mother and father-in-law.
   She is survived by her husband, Dwight Bower of Massena; four sons, Chris Bower and wife Amber of Indianapolis, Indiana, Courtney Bower and wife Jana of West Des Moines, Charles Bower of Springfield and Derek Bower and wife Jamie of Massena; nine grandchildren; two sisters, Jeanette Hall and husband Mike of Massena and Jayne Brewer and husband Terry of Oakland; two brothers, Brian Sothman and wife Roxie of Wiota and Jason Sothman and wife Melissa of Ottumwa; other relatives and friends.
   The family of Joyce Bower wishes to express their gratitude for all acts of kindness shown to them in their time of sorrow and invites you to join them for a luncheon at the church following the services at the cemetery.