Joy Mether

Wilda Joy (Oviatt) Mether was born August 14, 1913, to Leon and Jennie (Crom) Oviatt in Logan, Iowa. She was raised in Harrison County and graduated from Magnolia High School in 1932. Joy married Erwin Mether on September 15, 1932, at her parents' home in Magnolia. The couple started farming in the Dutch 4-Corners area and Joy lived there for 72 years. Erwin died on June 2, 1984.

Joy was a member of the Mondamin Baptist Church and the Willow Valley Neighborhood Club. She was a beautiful seamstress and all of her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren have quilts hand stitched by Grandma Joy. Joy loved her family and having her family together. She enjoyed taking care of her home whether it was decorating it or mowing her yard until the age of 95.

Joy died on Saturday, August 21, 2010, at Longview Nursing Home in Missouri Valley, Iowa at the age of 97 years and seven days.

Joy was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Erwin Mether; son, Leroy Mether on June 12, 1997; son-in-law, Jack Straight on March 17, 1998; grandson, Patrick Rider; great-great granddaughter, Jaylee Myer; sisters, Mary Oviatt, Erma Arnold, Helen Davenport, Cathy Block; infant sisters, Jeanette and Maxine Oviatt; and four brothers, Rex, Walt, Owen and Fred Oviatt. She is survived by her three children, Don and Jane Mether of Logan, Iowa, Sondra Straight of Logan, Iowa; Lorita and Jim Rider of Magnolia, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Leota Mether of Magnolia, Iowa; 15 grandchildren; 42 great grandchildren; nine great-great grandchildren; two sisters, Donabelle and Virgil Kimball of Hemet, California, Janice Parrish of Independence, Missouri; two sisters-in-law, Margaret Oviatt and Maxine Mether of Council Bluffs, Iowa; and many other relatives and friends.