Joy Janette St. Peter

     Joy Janette St. Peter, the daughter of Magnus and Mildred (Varley) Madsen, was born December 9, 1929, in rural Audubon County, Iowa and died June10, 2023, at the Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa at the age of 93 years, 6 months, and 1 day.

     Joy was baptized and confirmed at the Ebenezer Lutheran Church west of Audubon, Iowa. She attended rural Audubon County schools then graduated from the Audubon High School with the Class of 1947. Joy then studied at St, Anthony’s Nursing School in Carroll, Iowa.

     On October 7, 1950, Joy was united in marriage to Deane LaVerne St. Peter at the Ebenezer Lutheran Church west of Audubon. They were blessed with three children Susan, Randy, and Ron. Deane was in the U.S. Army and they were stationed in Atlanta, Georgia. While living in Atlanta, Joy was able to sharpen her musical skills with lessons from Regina Pudney who was a Carnegie Hall pianist. Deane was honorably discharged in the spring of 1953 and they returned to rural Audubon and moved into Joy’s parents’ home. Joy helped Deane operate the farm where they grew row crops and raised livestock. Joy always had a large vegetable garden and enjoyed canning the produce. She was well known for her pickles and in later years her special salsa. She loved to mow her yard and spent about four hours a week on her big riding lawnmower. Deane died December 13, 2009. Joy had continued to enjoy farm life.

     Joy was an active member of the Ebenezer Lutheran Church. She had been the church organist for over 60 years, was active in the Women’s Circle, and had taught Vacation Bible School. Joy and Deane had enjoyed traveling around Iowa visiting the many interesting sights. She loved to cook and bake and was famous for her cinnamon rolls, brownies, and crescent rolls. Joy loved to play the piano and organ a made sure to practice every day. She was very health conscious and worked out almost everyday and always ate healthily. But what was most important to her was being with her family especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

     Preceding her in death was her husband Deane L. St. Peter; her parents Magnus and Mildred Madsen; her stepmother Clara (Frederiksen) Madsen; her siblings Clair Madsen, Rosa Marie Madsen and Doris Lauritsen and husband Virgil.

     Survivors include her children Susan and husband Steve Forrest of West Des Moines, Iowa, Randy St. Peter of Audubon, Iowa, and Ron and wife Melanie St. Peter of Florence, Arizona; her grandchildren Amber Forrest of Urbandale, Iowa, Ronelle St. Peter of Johnston, Iowa, Dr. Sonya St. Peter and Brad Duckworth of Knoxville, Iowa, Ryan St. Peter and Clayton Lentz of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rachelle St. Peter and Levi Ericson of Woodburn, Iowa, Cassie Lind and husband Nathan of Manson, Iowa, and Chase St. Peter of Kimballton, Iowa; her great grandchildren Cassidy Duckworth of Knoxville, Iowa, Hadley Lind and Hudson Lind of Manson, Iowa, and Stetson Ericson of Woodburn, Iowa ; her step-sister Ardys Albertsen of Exira, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

     The family will greet friends Saturday morning, June 17, 2023, from 9:00 A.M. until the time of the service at the Ebenezer Lutheran Church west of Audubon, Iowa. Funeral services will be conducted by Reverend Philip Beisswenger Saturday morning at 11:00 A.M. at the Ebenezer Lutheran Church. Interment will be in the Ebenezer Lutheran Church cemetery. The casket bearers will be her grandchildren Ronelle St. Peter, Sonya St. Peter, Amber Forrest, Cassie Lind, Ryan St. Peter, Chase St. Peter, and Rachelle St. Peter.