Joyce M. Heinicke

Joyce Marilyn (Muhl) Heinicke died at age 96 on April 14, 2026, going home to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was born on November 3, 1929, in Dallas, South Dakota, to parents Rev. Reginald and Edith (Richter) Muhl. She was baptized by her father on November 24, 1929, in Dallas, South Dakota, and confirmed in the faith on June 13, 1943, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Wentworth, South Dakota.

Joyce, and later on, her two younger sisters, took the train from their family’s home in Iowa to attend Concordia High School and College in Seward, Nebraska. Joyce had a beautiful soprano voice and loved to sing. She played the role of "Mabel" in Concordia's production of "The Pirates of Penzance" in 1949. She graduated the same year.

After teaching in elementary schools for several years, Joyce married Iddo C. Heinicke on June 9, 1952. They made their home in Seward, Nebraska, where Joyce spent the rest of her life.

Joyce was a housewife and stay-at-home mother. She used her flair for design and artistic talent to create a beautiful home, besides sewing many clothes for herself and her daughters. She was involved in many service organizations throughout her life, among them Lutherans for Life, Stephen Ministry, Lutheran Large Print, LWML, Meals on Wheels, and Concordia Guild.

Joyce frequently accompanied Iddo on trips connected with his work with the Lutheran Church Extension Fund.  After his retirement, they enjoyed traveling to many places, including Arizona, Oregon, and Europe.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Reginald and Edith Muhl; husband, Iddo Heinicke ; sisters, Jacqueline Kienast and Judith Perez; son-in-law Steven Sylwester; and twin granddaughters born too soon.

She is survived by her brother and his wife, Reginald, Jr., and Verna Jane Muhl, Green Bay, WI;  daughters, Stephanie (Michael) Bean, Mesa, AZ, and Kathie "Koe" Sylwester, Eugene, OR; son, David (Jane) Heinicke, Seward, NE; grandchildren Natalie (Brian) Roche, Queen Creek, AZ;  Annie (Jason) Gill-Bloyer, Chicago, IL; Cameron (Marlene) Davis-Bean, Atlanta, GA; Eva Sylwester, Eugene, OR; Liesel Sylwester (Zoe Blatter), Portland, OR; Ilsa Heinicke (Michael Huscher), Omaha, NE;  Eric (Nicole) Heinicke, Clearwater, KS; Carl (Amanda) Heinicke, Omaha, NE; Clara (Aaron) Carlson, Kearney, NE; and sixteen great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be given to Lutherans for Life or St. John Lutheran Church Capital Campaign Fund

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joyce M. Heinicke, please visit our floral store.