Henrietta Ruth "Joy" Janssen was born on November 25, 1924 in Holland Michigan, to the Rev. Henry T. and Cornelia Stek Rozendaal. She was the second of their five children. Her father served churches in Valley Springs, South Dakota and Melvin, Iowa during her childhood and teenage years, and she graduated from Melvin High School.

She attended Central College in Pella, Iowa, with two years of teaching country school after her freshman year, then continued her education until graduating with a bachelor's degree in music. She met her husband, the Rev. John Janssen, while in college, and they were married on June 13, 1947, after Ruth graduated from Central and John had returned from serving in World War II. They had six children: Allan, Lois, Carol, Stephen, Deborah, and Paul.

John and Ruth served churches in Newton, Illinois; Lennox, South Dakota; and Titonka, Iowa. At one point, Ruth had a transforming experience of God's love, leading her to choose the name Joy for herself. Joy enjoyed directing church choirs, teaching Sunday School and Catechism classes, and serving alongside the women in their studies and missions. She also especially relished the opportunity to befriend an immigrant in Titonka from Laos, Thonglian Voutsalath and her children, who came to call her Grandma Joy.

After retiring from ministry in 1982, John and Joy moved to Pella where they were active members of Third Reformed Church. While there, Joy became good friends with the Schuring family, missionaries to Brazil. They enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S., with a camper in the early years, and car trips after retirement.

After John's death in 1991, Joy offered her home to international students at the college as well as missionaries on furlough. She was a resident of Fair Haven East at the time of her death, whose community and staff she loved. She participated in worship, Bible studies, and prayer ministries at Third Reformed Church as long as she was able, inspiring many friends and family with her deep faith and ready smile. She also enjoyed reading, quilting, and visiting with friends.

Joy is survived by her six children and their spouses: Allan (Colleen) Janssen of Glenmont, New York, Lois Sanchez of Des Moines, Iowa, Carol (Jennifer) Austin-Janssen of Asheville, North Carolina, Stephen (Judy) Janssen of Ely, Iowa, Deborah (Dean) Mechler of Spencer, Iowa, and Paul (Annette) Janssen of Somerville, New Jersey; twelve grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; one sister: Esther Rozendaal; and many other family members and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, John, and three siblings and their spouses: Jane and Ralph Ten Clay, Lois and Kosuke Koyama, John and Ardyce Rozendaal.

Memorial Service

2:00 P.M. Monday, September 26, 2016
Third Reformed Church Chapel
Pella, Iowa

Memorials

Child Evangelism Fellowship of Iowa
New Tribes Mission – Brazil

Family

Husband: The late John Janssen
Children:
Allan (Colleen) Janssen, Glenmont, New York
Lois Sanchez, Des Moines, Iowa
Carol (Jennifer) Austin-Janssen, Asheville, North Carolina
Stephen (Judy) Janssen, Ely, Iowa
Deborah (Dean) Mechler, Spencer, Iowa
Paul (Annette) Janssen, Somerville, New Jersey