Harlow, Joyce Kay

 

Joyce Kay Harlow, age 69 of Fremont, went Home to be with the Lord peacefully with her family at her side on Thursday, September 27, 2007.  Joyce was born at home on the family farm on April 23, 1938 in Redfield, Iowa to Glenn and Maude (Cox) Wilkins and later married Robert Harlow of Des Moines, Iowa on June 4, 1960 in Indianola, Iowa.  Joyce and Bob lived in various communities throughout the years, including Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin; Long Branch, New Jersey; Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Muscatine, Iowa; Lake Walloon, Michigan; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Lincolnshire, Illinois; Spring, Texas; Lake Forest, Illinois; and more recently, Scottsdale, Arizona and Fremont, Michigan.

Joyce had been a nurse, Hospice volunteer, and homemaker. Joyce was an Ambassador for the Bible Study Fellowship International for over 25 years, and attended Calvary Church in Grand Rapids and Scottsdale Bible Church in Scottsdale, Arizona.  She also enjoyed tennis, golf, water-skiing, cross-country skiing, barn wood painting and 4-H and basketball during high school.  She especially enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren and was fully devoted to doing life together with her beloved husband, Bob.

She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Bob of Fremont; her sons, Jeffrey (Heidi) Harlow of Holland; Robert “Rob” (Colette) Harlow of Rockford; her grandchildren, Erika, Stewart, Abigail, Caleb, Blake, and Jonathan; 2 grand-dogs, Callaway and Solomon; her sisters, Linda (Don) Freeman of Ackworth, Iowa; Thelma (Charles) Amos of Indianola, Iowa; Carolyn (Allen) Herrick of Indianola, Iowa; her mother-in-law, Ruth Harlow of Des Moines, Iowa; brothers-in-law, Phil (Patsy) Harlow of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Charles (Bendy) Harlow of Thousand Oaks, California; sister-in-law, Beverly (Douglas) Nicolet of Des Moines, Iowa; 3 aunts, Lois Sooby, Florence Langille; and Lenore Hollingsworth; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 4, 2007 from 5-8pm at the Crandell Funeral Home (Fremont Chapel). Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 5, 2007 at 11am at the Crandell Funeral Home (Fremont Chapel) with Ed Uszynski of Athletes in Action presiding with interment in the Maple Grove Cemetery.  Friends may consider in lieu of flowers, Bible Study Fellowship International 19001 Hueber Road San Antonio Texas 78258 or Athletes in Action 651 Taylor Drive Xenia, Ohio 45385.  Friends may send a condolence or share a memory online at www.crandellfh.com.

   

Click here to post a condolence of Joyce Kay Harlow on-line

 

                                                                                                                                            

To the family of Joyce Harlow:
 
We have lost a sweet and precious friend; but our loss is Joyce's gain--the very presence of Jesus.  Our prayers are with you, and we look forward to seeing you in Fremont next week.  Marvin and Rana Jamison, Charlotte, NC. 

Posted 10/2/2007

                                                                                                                                            

Dear Bob,
We were so sorry for you to hear of the passing of Joyce but what a blessing to know that she is no longer suffering.  Joyce was such a joy filled person.  In Joint Heirs class that joy just radiated from her to all around.  What wonderful memories you must have of your many years together. 

We look forward to seeing you later this winter in AZ.

Because of the love of our Lord Jesus Christ, we do not mourn as others do.
Bruce and Dee Pearson
 

Posted 10/2/2007

                                                                                                                                            

Dear Bob and family,
 
Just a quick note to say we are thinking of you all at this time and praying that you are feeling a huge measure of God's love and peace. 
 
For Joyce to be healthy and whole and in the presence of Jesus - well, it just doesn't get any better than that!  Our pastor likes to refer to it as a "graduation to glory." 
 
With lots and lots of love to you all, 
 
Charles and Velda Patten
 

Posted 10/2/2007

                                                                                                                                            

Joyce Harlow lived an extraordinarily successful life.  Marriage.  Family.  Children and grandchildren.  Friends.  Faith.  She excelled at them all and would have had the grace to be mortified to hear herself referred to in such terms.  She had charm, and cheerfulness, too, and was a pleasure to be around, even in her last years of trying and disabling pain.  She radiated love and always had a kind word of encouragement, despite relentless, physical distress that would have given her every reason to be otherwise.  You could see her gentle influence in her kids and grandchildren.  She had a beauty about her which didn't stop at the surface but went all the way to her core.  Every chance she had, she faithfully came to the small group study that meets in our house.  Not that we were so good, but that she must have known how much we needed her, someone so far ahead in the faith.  She cheerfully volunteered to help out and do her part when, God alone must know, how she really felt those last years.  She had real strength of heart in the face of the greatest adversary of us all, death, which she faced calmly and firmly.  Any of us should do so well when our time comes.  We all knew that Christ had a place in her heart and what a wonderful place He had made for Himself there.  In that masterwork, He had a exceptionally willing partner in Joyce.  She was the kind of person who made those people whose lives she touched want to be a little better as a person, a little more kind, a little more caring, a lot more Christ-like.  If anyone ever asks me what a mature Christian looks like at the end of the race, I'm going to tell them about Joyce Harlow, our good friend.  The world is a little poorer place with her gone, but we are so grateful that the pain of her last years is over and she enjoys life everlasting, according to the scriptures that she lived so dependably every day.

Roger W. Strassburg
SACKS TIERNEY P.A., Attorneys,
  a Member of Meritas Law Firms Worldwide
4250 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Fourth Floor
Scottsdale, Arizona  85251-3693
 

Posted 10/2/2007

                                                                                                                                            

Bob:  Joyce at Joint Heirs was always a smiling Christian through all of the oxygen and masks for infection she had to endure. 
 
We truly admired the stoicm she displayed for the years we had the privilege of her presence with us.
 
Please know we are in prayer for you and the family, as we know she is with the Lord now. 
 
 
Jim and Nancy Land

Posted 10/3/2007

                                                                                                                                            

Bob and Family:
The fond memories of Joyce will be with you always.  She was a sweet gal.
Joan Obits

Posted 10/4/2007

                                                                                                                                            

I would be remiss not to try to express my condolences to this loving family for their loss, though it is my husband who is the "words" person.  I'm the "numbers" person.  Joyce was a people person. 
 
Joyce was such a joyful, gracious individual ... her name fit her well.  What a mentor and example to those of us who knew her.  I still do not understand why I often left the hospital feeling better for having been to see her.  
 
I am proud to call myself her friend and grateful for the time I got to spend with her.  Joyce's memory will continue to be my example of the woman I hope to become.
 
Joyce Strassburg

Posted 10/5/2007

                                                                                                                                            

We had some great projects this year. We trimmed the Holly and both of the beautiful Maple tree's. We let the rocks show thru and what a show they are. The woodland garden is coming along well. It was a great idea to fill in the spaces with the ferns and some hosta's. It is such a pretty space. We definitely need to mention the group effort in putting in the Hosta garden. We all had a part in that and it turned out sooooooo........good. The roses put on a spectacular show they just keep blooming and are so healthy!!! Each week a little prayer was said over the hydrangea - we will have lots of vivid Blue blooms next summer and you will smile because you know how much we wanted this to happen.
 
    I enjoyed our walks around the yard plotting and planning what we could or would do next. Most of all I enjoyed talking about our children and grandchildren. Your family know how much you love them and I knew how much you loved them every time you spoke of them. It was in your voice. It was fun watching the birds with you and hearing the latest of your big bird. I will miss all of these things.
 
I will miss you.
 
Elaine

Posted 10/5/2007

                                                                                                                                            

Dear Bob,
Our prayers are with you and your family today as you have the final good-bye to your beloved Joyce.  She was such an amazing testimony of trusting in the Lord and walking in His presence.  Her smiling face and gentle spirit will be missed by all of us, but knowing that she walks face to face with Jesus is the final reward.  We will look forward to seeing you back in Joint Heirs Class when you return to Az.  We pray Gods comfort and Blessings on you and your family.
Love and Blesings,
Bob & Joy Gambill

Posted 10/5/2007

                                                                                                                                            

Bob-
 
Please know that our thoughts, prayers & love are with you and your family at this time of your loss of your lovely Joyce.  Yet  you and we know that she is at home now with Jesus, and what a great comfort that has to be.  Joyce was a special lady to us, and we are so grateful for the time we were able to share with her.  She was  light in our lives, for sure. 
 
We want to keep in touch, and hopefully get to see you in the near future.
 
In Christ-
 
Jerry & Glori Robison

Posted 10/7/2007

                                                                                                                                            

Thank you to those of you who remembered me and the Harlow family in prayer this past weekend.  I lived with the Harlows for a year while doing graduate work and Bob served as one of the original Board of Directors for AIA until Joyce took ill.  Joyce Harlow died at age 69 after a six year battle with cancer.  Her husband Bob and two sons, Jeff and Rob, and I had a meaningful time reflecting on the life she lived and what a great wife, mom, grandma, and friend she was over the years.  Her funeral reminded me that how we live today, the little decisions to do or not do something, the interactions we have with people, will effect what others are able to say and remember about us when we move on.  A person couldn't ask for much more than what was said about Joyce, and I am challenged to reconsider my days in light of eternity because of her.  I hope you have opportunity to do the same in the midst of your hectic life/workday and that you will ask God what He might have for you to do today. 

Thanks for praying with us,

Ed Uszynski

Posted 10/11/2007