PROPHETSTOWN – Linna Joyce Naftzger, 92, of Prophetstown, died Monday, Sept. 4, 2017, at Prophets Riverview Good Samaritan Center in Prophetstown.
She was born March 24, 1925, the daughter of John Howard and Dolly (Baldwin) Plumley. She married Ralph W. Naftzger on July 30, 1943. He died March 5, 1989. Joyce had worked for 44 years for Self Help in Sterling, where she had served as director of finance. While at Self Help, she ran the client dances and the snack bar, and attended board meetings.
Joyce had lived on the farm for most of her life, and loved being in the country. She loved her horses and went on many trail rides. Having a love for Dalmatians throughout her lifetime, she loved and cared for five of them. Joyce also enjoyed mowing her lawn with her John Deere mower, and had collected Beanie Babies. She was a member of St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in Morrison.
Survivors include two grandsons, Michael (Kelly) Naftzger and James (Bliss) Naftzger; her great-grandsons, Matthew (Bree), Adam, and Zayne Naftzger; her great-granddaughter, Mariah Naftzger; a great-great-grandson, Mason; many nieces and nephews, and a lot of good friends.
She also was preceded in death by her parents; her son, James A. Naftzger in 1994; two sisters, Corella Oetzel and Betty Jane Wheelock; and her four brothers, Russell, Dwight, Robert, and Howard Plumley.
Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, and the funeral at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Peter Evangelical Church in Morrison, with the Rev. Mark Winkleman officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Leon Cemetery in rural Prophetstown. McDonald Funeral Home in Prophetstown is handling arrangements.
Memorials in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital would be appreciated.