Joyce Ann Callahan

Joyce Ann (Strief) Callahan, 87, of Marion, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 14, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. In agreement with her wishes, cremation has taken place. A Funeral Mass will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, located at 1790 14th Street, Marion, Iowa, where the family will greet friends for one hour prior to the Mass. Reverend Emmanuel Fenelus will be officiating. A livestream of the funeral Mass may be accessed on the funeral home’s website under Joyce’s tribute page, starting at the time of Mass. Inurnment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Marion is assisting the family.

Joyce was born on November 28, 1938, in Epworth, Iowa, to Robert Lee and Calista (Horsfield) Strief. She graduated from Epworth High School in 1957 and carried the values of hard work, kindness, and community with her throughout her life.

On September 24, 1960, she married the love of her life, Loras Anthony Callahan. Together, they built a beautiful life and shared 60 years of marriage filled with devotion, laughter, family, and unwavering love.

Joyce worked as an Assembly Operator at Rockwell Collins before later joining Linn-Mar Community School District Food Service. To generations of students, she was more than a lunch lady. She was known as the happiest and sassiest lunch lady around, always ready with a smile, a joke, and a kind word.

Joyce had a gift for making people feel loved. She was famous for her legendary chocolate chip cookies, which became a family tradition and a symbol of her generosity. Whether she was baking, sharing a meal, or welcoming someone into her home, she showed her love through acts of care that brought people together.

She found joy in the simple things: spending time outdoors, decorating her home for every holiday, cheering on her favorite basketball teams, and surrounding herself with family. One of her greatest joys was her annual summer and Thanksgiving trips to Colorado.

Joyce never met a stranger. Her warmth, humor, and genuine interest in others made her instantly lovable to everyone she encountered. She was the heart of countless celebrations, the keeper of family traditions, and the person everyone looked forward to seeing.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Loras Anthony Callahan; her sister, Mary Ellen Schroeder; and her grandson, Josh Rammelsberg.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Ricky Callahan, Julie Ann Callahan, and Cheryl (Brad) Perkins, all of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Connor (Kim) Callahan of Centennial, Colorado; her grandchildren, Kadilynn (Tray) Callahan, Ciann Callahan, Bailey Rose (Tim) Ellis, and Rylee Ann Steinke; along with several nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Joyce’s family will remember her for her quick wit, her stubborn spirit, her generous heart, and the way she made every person feel like family. Her love lives on in every batch of cookies baked from her recipe, every holiday gathering, every shared laugh, and every act of kindness inspired by her example.

Memorials may be directed to UnityPoint Hospice in gratitude for the compassionate care provided to Joyce and her family.