Joyce Elaine Meinhardt

Joyce Elaine Meinhardt, 92, of Kahoka, Missouri, died on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at the Clark County Nursing Home in Kahoka, Missouri.

The daughter of Winfield Wayne Hanan and Lois Irene Latimer Hanan, Joyce was born on June 22, 1933, in Waukegan, Illinois.

She lived with her parents in Villa Park, Illinois, until she was in high school, when they moved to Ashton, Missouri. She often told stories about moving from the suburbs of Chicago to the rural area of Clark County, Missouri. She rode her horse to Ashton from the family farm, and kerosene lamps provided the only light for doing homework and reading her favorite books. Joyce was an avid reader, especially of romance novels.

Joyce met Dale Meinhardt on a Saturday night while in high school at the Medill Skating Rink, and their romance soon began. She graduated from Kahoka High School in 1951. While Dale was serving in the United States Army in England during the Korean War, Joyce moved to Racine, Wisconsin, where she worked for Johnson & Johnson.

Joyce was united in marriage to Dale Eugene Meinhardt on February 22, 1953, at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Kahoka, Missouri. Together they built their life and raised their family on a farm west of Kahoka.

She was an Ashton 4-H Cloverleaf Leader and enjoyed teaching young people how to cook and decorate cakes. Joyce also loved decorating birthday and wedding cakes for family and friends.

Joyce was a faithful member of St. Paul United Church of Christ, where she was an active choir member. She frequently sang solos and duets and enjoyed the annual Christmas Cantata. During her retirement years, she traveled to Europe several times with choir members from the tri-state area, singing in churches throughout Europe—experiences she truly cherished.

She was also active on the St. Paul UCC Courtesy Committee, helping serve meals at church events and activities. Joyce served for many years as church secretary at St. Paul UCC and as secretary/bookkeeper for the Clark County Nutrition Center. She retired in 2011.

She is survived by her four children: Michael (Joyce) Meinhardt of Tonganoxie, Kansas; Debra (Kent) Bevans of Monticello, Missouri; Judith (Richard) Rojo of The Colony, Texas; and Russell (Jill) Meinhardt of Olathe, Kansas; nine grandchildren: Adam (Kate) Bevans of Canton, Missouri; Andrew Meinhardt of Tonganoxie, Kansas; Samantha (Mike) Allen of Kansas City, Missouri; Kelsey (Drew) Frese of Monticello, Missouri; Brandon Rojo of San Antonio, Texas; Marissa Rojo of The Colony, Texas; Matthew Meinhardt of Olathe, Kansas; Tessa Meinhardt of Olathe, Kansas; and Dani Meinhardt of Olathe, Kansas; five great-grandchildren: Mia Bevans, Owen Frese, Maddox Bevans, Quinn Bevans, and Ella Frese; her sister, Yvonne Klemme of Springfield, Missouri; sister-in-law, Rovene Meinhardt of Kahoka, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale; her parents, Wayne and Lois; father and mother in-law, Otto and Mary Meinhardt; her brother and sister-in-law, Dale (Ruth) Hanan; brothers and sisters-in-laws, Lem Klemme, Wilma (Robert) Galbraith, Thelma (Norris) Gaffney, George (Lurla) Meinhardt, Wayne (Mertice) Meinhardt, and Deane Meinhardt.

Funeral services for Joyce Meinhardt will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at Wilson & Triplett Funeral Home of Kahoka, MO. Pastor Dan Moore will officiate. Burial will follow at the Keokuk National Cemetery, Keokuk, IA. Visitation with family present will be held at Wilson & Triplett Funeral Home Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 8:30 am until time of service at 10:00 am. Memorials in memory of Joyce Elaine Meinhardt are suggested to Clark County Nursing Home.

Condolences for the family may be left at www.wilsontriplett.com