Joyce Burggraaf

Joyce Burggraaf’s life is a beautiful reflection of kindness, laughter, service, and enduring love. Born in 1943 near Hawarden, Iowa, to John and Tillie Wallenburg, Joyce grew up as the second oldest of six daughters in a lively and loving household. Her early years were marked by frequent moves between farms and small towns across northwest Iowa and Minnesota—experiences that shaped her resilient spirit and deep appreciation for life’s simple joys. 

Though Joyce attended Rock Valley Christian School, she has always valued life lessons over formal education. Her wisdom comes not from textbooks but from lived experience, faith, and the relationships she’s nurtured over the decades. One of her most cherished childhood memories is of living on a farm surrounded by water. In the 1950s, when flooding would isolate their farm near Rock Valley, Joyce and her family would travel to town by boat. While floods often bring destruction, Joyce remembers those boat rides with fondness and wonder—a testament to her ability to find joy even in challenging circumstances. 

A Marriage Rooted in Love 

In 1962, Joyce married Jim Burggraaf, beginning a lifelong partnership rooted in love and perseverance. Their journey together has been filled with both joy and sorrow. They endured the heartbreaking loss of two children, Dawin and Karen, to kidney disease—an unimaginable tragedy that tested their strength and faith. Yet through it all, Joyce and Jim remained steadfast, raising two daughters who have grown into compassionate, strong women with families of their own. 

Gwen, married to Rick Ebbers, is the proud mother of three children. Susan, married to Arnold Carlson, lives in Minneapolis and has four children, including one son and triplets adopted from Haiti. Joyce and Jim’s unwavering love and resilience have left a profound impact on their daughters and grandchildren, shaping a legacy of grace, strength, and devotion. Their 63 years of marriage stand as a powerful testimony to the virtues of patience, kindness, forgiveness, and enduring love. 

Faith as Her Foundation 

Central to Joyce’s life has always been her Christian faith. She finds deep comfort and guidance in scripture and inspirational books, which have helped her navigate life’s many ups and downs. One book that particularly strengthened her relationship with Christ is How to Win the War in Your Mind, which uses biblical truths to combat spiritual challenges. 

Two verses that hold special meaning for Joyce are: 

-Psalm 19:14 – “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” 

-Romans 15:13 – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”