Joyce Eileen Lambert

Joyce Eileen (Guthrie) Lambert of Newton passed away Saturday, June 12, 2021. She was born July 21, 1934, to Stewart Guthrie and Blanche (Holmes) Guthrie of Newton. Joyce grew up on a farm in rural Newton and graduated from Newton Senior High School in 1952.

After high school, Joyce worked as a legal secretary for attorneys in Newton and for the Jasper County Attorney. She then worked as a secretary for the Jasper County Sheriff. Although she remained a secretary, Sheriff Darrell Hurley deputized Joyce so she could assist with searching women who had been arrested, and he issued her a badge and a gun, which her sons thought was pretty awesome.

Joyce was the co-owner, with her husband Olen Lambert, of the Owl Lunch diner in Newton in the early 1960s. After they sold the diner, she decided to focus on being a mother to her four sons and gave up outside employment to be a homemaker. Joyce loved country music, especially Johnny Cash, Marty Stuart and Garth Brooks.

Joyce is survived by her four sons, all in Iowa, Rick (Debbie) Adams of Grinnell, Randy Adams of Blue Grass, Larry (Lisa) Lambert of Des Moines and Mark (Terry) Lambert of Polk City. She is also survived by seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Olen W. Lambert; her parents; an older sister, Doris, who died in childhood; and an infant granddaughter, Randa Adams.

In accordance with Joyce’s wishes, there will be no public service or memorial gathering. A private graveside service will be held later.