NIETER, Joyce Clara

Vistoso Funeral Home, Oro Valley, Arizona Joyce Clara Nieter May 13, 1937 - January 25, 2013 Joyce Clara Nieter (Vinup, Thomas), of Oro Valley, Arizona passed away on Friday, January 25, 2013 at Odyssey Hospice. Joyce was born on May 13, 1937 in Cincinnati, Ohio, the daughter of Elmer Vinup and Bernice (Steiner) Vinup. Joyce was reared in Aurora, Indiana until the age of 13 when her family moved to New Haven, Indiana. She attended New Haven High School where she developed her life-long affinity for the bass clarinet. She often joyfully recounted her experiences playing in the marching and concert bands and enjoyed describing both the musical and life-lessons those bands provided. Joyce graduated in 1955 and reveled in reciting her high school class motto, “We’ve got Spirit, we’ve got Jive, we’re the class of ’55!” Joyce proudly attended International Business College at a time when “women weren’t supposed to go to college” (as she frequently recounted) and graduated with a BSC Degree from their Executive Secretarial Program. Joyce subsequently accepted a secretarial position with the United States Department of Agriculture in Washington D.C. Joyce loved her time in D.C., meeting many people from around the world and expanding her cultural horizons. Joyce married her first husband in 1959 and moved to Weirton, West Virginia where her son Donald Thomas (Nieter) was born. After a few years, Joyce divorced and moved back to New Haven, Indiana. In 1967, Joyce met Marvin Nieter and they married in 1969 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in New Haven, IN. Her second child, Jennifer was born in 1970. Joyce often recounted her work experiences at the insurance, real estate, and tax office of Ms. Mildred Pequignot (one of Joyce’s main role models and mentors) where she broadened and practiced her secretarial skills. Joyce was involved in the Insurance Woman’s Association in Northeast Indiana and enjoyed participating in professional conferences and meetings. Upon Ms. Pequignot’s death Joyce took a secretarial position with Gladieux Refinery in New Haven, Indiana where she remained employed until her retirement. Joyce enjoyed her connections and many friends at Martini Lutheran Church in New Haven, Indiana. At the age of 65, Joyce moved to Tucson, Arizona and became a member of Ascension Lutheran Church. During her time in Arizona, Joyce enjoyed living in The Highlands and continued to play her bass clarinet in several bands. She is survived by two children: Donald H. Nieter (Debbie Russett) and Jennifer N. Zelt (Brent) and one grandson, Brian A. Zelt. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Marvin. Joyce enjoyed several great adventures in her life, including moving to Washington D.C. in her youth and relocating to Tucson later in her life. She received her 70th birthday “dream” of vacationing with her entire family in California. She never lost her fondness for playing her bass clarinet and she loved the dessert and the little piece of it that was her beloved backyard. She was proud of her children and thankful for her wonderful daughter-in-law and son-in-law, often saying that both of her children somehow found the perfect person for them. Her favorite thing to boast about in recent years was her cherished grandson Brian whose baseball and football games she attended (and yelled at) as often as possible. In lieu of flowers please donate to an organization, preferred memorial information to come. Memorial Services in Arizona will be held on Friday, February 8, 2013 at 2:30 pm at Ascension Lutheran Church, 1220 West Magee Rd., Tucson, AZ, 85704. Following the memorial service, refreshments will be shared at Ascension Lutheran Church. Memorial Services in Indiana will be held at Martini Lutheran Church, 333 Moeller Road, New Haven, Indiana, 46774 on Saturday, February 16, 2013. A Remembrance Service will be held from 10 AM to 11 AM followed by a celebratory toast and return of Joyce's ashes to the earth at the Martini Cemetery. A lunch will then be served at Martini Lutheran Church around noon. Joyce preferred you did not send flowers, but preferred memorials be given to the following two charities in her memory: 1) The Martini Kids Club Ministry. Joyce's early life as single working mother caused her to develop a special and intense affinity for child care issues, particularly The Martini Kids Club Ministry which provides daycare and latchkey services to the community. Donations can be sent to this Ministry located at the same address as Martini Lutheran Church. More information is available on their corresponding "Facebook" page or they can be contacted at (260) 749-0014. 2) The Northwest Inter-generational Community Orchestra. After moving to Arizona, Joyce continued her bass clarinet playing in several bands, most recently participating in NICO at Coronado Middle School. Joyce loved NICO not only because it gave her a chance to play, but also because it included middle school students and adults of all ages. She frequently shared with others about NICO because she was proud of what it offered to all of the participants. Donations can be made to NICO in Joyce's honor by sending checks to Coronado Middle School,3401 E. Wilds Road, Catalina, AZ 85739 with a notation that the donation is for NICO, Joyce Nieter Memorial Donation.