Obituaries

Joyce A. Nienaber (née Wieland), age 83, of Florence, KY, passed away peacefully on May 3, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Hospice in Edgewood, KY, surrounded by her loving family.

Joyce was born on January 10, 1942, in Cincinnati, OH, to the late Ernst and Frieda Wieland. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Leo Arthur Nienaber, whom she met while they both worked at CG&E.

A 1959 graduate of Western Hills High School, Joyce dedicated her life to raising her family as a devoted homemaker. She poured her energy and love into supporting her children through every phase of life—whether volunteering for school events, serving on the PTA, chaperoning dances, or cheering from the sidelines as an ever-present band booster mom.

Joyce was a woman of deep and abiding Catholic faith. Her relationship with God was a constant source of strength, guiding her life with grace, compassion, and humility. She was a longtime parishioner of St. Paul Church, where she not only worshiped faithfully but also served her community through the bereavement committee and parish volunteer efforts. Her faith was evident in her kindness, her servant’s heart, and the way she lived her life with quiet purpose.

She had a deep appreciation for the outdoors and the beauty of nature. Joyce loved traveling out west to hike, cherished family trips to the Smoky Mountains, and treasured time spent on the beach—especially in Myrtle Beach with her children and later Lido Beach in her adulthood. In her quieter moments, she enjoyed sitting poolside, reading a good book, or taking in a performance at the Aronoff.

A loving and involved grandmother, Joyce adored spending time with her grandchildren—taking them horseback riding, visiting the Cincinnati Zoo, or simply being present in their lives. She had a lifelong fondness for Neil Diamond and John Denver, took pride in her German heritage, and was known to savor a burnt bratwurst paired with a glass of red wine.

Joyce is survived by her children, Jeff (Elaine) Nienaber and Jennifer (Billy) Anderson; her cherished grandchildren: Morgan (Tommy), Grace, Sophie, Abby, Emma, and Kurt. Her love, humor, unwavering faith, and gentle presence will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2025, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Mary Queen of Heaven Church in Erlanger, KY. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:30 AM. Joyce will be laid to rest at St. Mary Cemetery in Ft. Mitchell, KY.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Madonna House of Northern Kentucky – 25 Orphanage Rd. Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, 41017 or https://www.madonnahousenky.org/donate or Easterseals Redwood Rehabilitation 71 Orphanage Road Fort Mitchell, KY 41017 www.eastersealsredwood.org or Lovesome Stables Equitherapy 250 Boltz Lake Road Dry Ridge, KY 41035 www.lovesomestables.com.

To share a story or leave an online condolence, please visit www.linnemannfuneralhomes.com.