Obituary of Joyce Burkett

Myrna Joyce Pitz Burkett, 93, of Iowa City, Iowa, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on April 28, 2025.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30th at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Iowa City, with a Rosary concluding the visitation at 6:00 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 1st, also at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church.

Joyce was born on October 10, 1931, in Iowa City and lovingly raised by her grandparents, May Wombacher and Louis Rummelhart, in Riverside. On June 6, 1949, she married Aubrey A. Burkett. Joyce devoted herself to her husband and the raising of their children, embracing her role as a homemaker. Widowed at the young age of 34, she faced life’s challenges with remarkable perseverance and grace. She worked as head cook at Southeast Junior High School in Iowa City and later as a patient transporter for the University of Iowa Hospital’s Department of Radiology.

In her retirement, Joyce continued to share her warmth and vibrant spirit as a food sampler at Waterfront Hy-Vee. There, her genuine kindness and willingness to lend a listening ear made her a beloved figure to customers and coworkers alike.

Joyce found great joy in simple pleasures: cooking for her family, gardening, crocheting, sitting outdoors in nature, and most of all, spending time with her loved ones. She delighted in laughter, dancing, and never turned down a double serving of ice cream. While working at the University, Joyce entered a baking contest and was awarded a blue ribbon for her apple torte. Her famous rainbow cakes remain a sweet memory cherished by all who were lucky enough to enjoy them.

Joyce is survived by her children: Linda (Ron) Kron, William (Lois) Burkett, and Rita (Jim) Brumwell; and her sister-in-law, Lois Pitz. She leaves behind ten grandchildren and their spouses: Shane (Marti) Kron, Krystal Kron, Rachael (Chris) Pisarik, Justin (Catherine) Kron, Brent (Jeni) Burkett, Stephanie (Marcelis) Sanderson, Alicia (Cody) Smith, Andrea (Bob) Weimerskirch, Paige Brumwell, Madison Brumwell, and Alanna (Thomas) Keating.

Her legacy lives on through her many great-grandchildren: Anna (Nathan) Shank, Ian (Melissa) Kron, Samantha (Jasper) Severn, Noah Kron; Mallory, Brant, and Evan Kron; Aubrey, Savannah, Lauren, and Gabrielle Pisarik; Reno Kron; Mackenzie, Alexis, Emma, and Eleanor Burkett; Armone and Amaya Sanderson; Piper and Quincy Smith; Laney and Hattie Weimerskirch; Gavin Brumwell; and Conor and Mason Keating, and two great-great-granddaughters, Eloise Shank and Hazel Severn.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Aubrey Burkett; sons, Michael Burkett and James Burkett; her brother, Ronald Pitz; and her grandson, Michael Kron.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Wenceslaus Church of Iowa City, Iowa City Hospice, or the Iowa Chapter of the American Heart Association. To share a memory, thought, or condolence with the family, please visit www.gayandciha.com.

Joyce’s legacy of love, resilience, laughter, and generosity will forever live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.