Joyce Lynn Harrington, 81, of Keosauqua, IA passed away on Friday, November 1, 2024, at the University of Iowa Hospital. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 8, 2024, at the Grace Activity Center in Milton, IA with Pastor Kevin Mote officiating. Burial will be held in the Pittsburg Cemetery immediately following the service. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions in Joyce’s honor may be directed to the Grace Activity Center or to the family to support organizations that were important to Joyce. Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Joyce was born on August 9, 1943, to Arthur and Lena Shaw Hamberg. She grew up in Van Buren County and attended school in Harmony. During this time, she met and fell in love with Kenneth “Leo” Franklin. They began their life together as husband and wife on October 14, 1960. They became the loving parents of three children: Pam, Shelly, and Scott. Joyce loved her role as mother and would balance raising the children with working alongside Leo at their flooring business, Leo’s Floor Covering. She not only managed the household but also did bookkeeping and sales for the business. Joyce and Leo had over 30 wonderful years together until Leo’s death in 1997. Joyce pushed forward with the love of her family and eventually found Dennis Harrington. They spent the last thirteen years of her life together. Joyce was a talented seamstress and loved doing crafts. She put this skill to work as a floral designer for Ada’s Flowers & Gifts and Flowers, Etc. for several years. Joyce had a servant’s heart and demonstrated that through her service as Chairwomen of the Red Cross for many years. Her family was the most important thing in her life, and she loved watching it grow with the addition of grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by her family and the many friends she made along the way.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Kenneth Leo Franklin, and two siblings, Kenny Hamberg and Jean Counts.
Left to share her story is her husband, Dennis Harrington; three children, Pam Franklin (David Roth), Shelly (Brian) Wilson, and Scott Franklin (Amy Shipley); eleven grandchildren, Mindy (Ryan) Torrey, Jennifer (Dan) Lewis, Nikki (Damian) Butts, Hunter Roush (Lexi), Philip Wilson (Christina), Tony Wilson (Chelsea), Chris (Liz) Wilson, Katie (McKane) Wells, Cole Franklin (Ali), Grant Franklin, and Taylor Franklin (Trevor); fifteen great grandchildren, Livy, Cami, Monroe, Lochlan, Lena, Aiden, Easton, Charlie, Fletcher, Blakeley, Andrew, Paisley, Phoebe, Natilee, and Isla; stepson, Michael (Mara) Harrington; step grandchildren, Murphy and Mickleson; a sister, Janet (Gary) Page, as well as many extended family and friends.
