Joyce M. Dultmeier

Joyce Marlene Dultmeier passed away peacefully with her family by her side on December 2nd 2024 in Topeka Kansas. She was born in Tryon Oklahoma in 1939 to Marlin and Edith Smith.

In 1956 Joyce married the love of her life, Doctor Jerry Owen Schreiner. Jerry was a highly intelligent and capable self-made man and their love for each other was unrivaled. They had three children, Deborah, Philip, & Douglas. Joyce graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education and was a teacher until her retirement. She was a few credits shy of her master’s degree but her kids and family were her priority. She was a loving and doting mother who gave her children every opportunity possible. Jerry passed away in 1984 leaving Joyce as a widowed single mother.

Joyce was pursued by several suitors and the best man won; she married Maurice William Dultmeier in 1989. Maurice, a World War II Navy veteran and very successful home builder, was another strong, capable, self-made man. They shared a wonderful life together of family, love, fun, and travel. Towards the end of his life, Maurice cared for Joyce allowing her to stay in their home as she aged. Maurice passed away in 2022 leaving Joyce widowed for the second time in her life.

Joyce was joyful, loving, and empathetic to a fault. She was an eternal optimist always looking on the brighter side of things. She believed all brokenness could be healed and there was good in all people. Joyce never met a person who didn’t deserve a second chance (or a fifty-third) and she helped everyone she could; even those she probably shouldn’t have. Joyce was the living embodiment of positivity and she showered all those around her with encouragement, love, and a joyful spirit. If life left you with nothing but lemons, she would gently and lovingly help you make lemonade. She always found the silver lining in the middle of the storm and if she couldn’t, she would make one. Joyce stayed this way, encouraging and consoling others, right until the very end. She was one of Christ’s happy warriors and she will be sorely missed.

She is survived by her sons Phil and Doug Schreiner as well as her sister Carol Thomas, brother Bud Smith, and a plethora of nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her two husbands as well as her brother Elgin Smith, her daughter Debbie Reece, and her granddaughter Janey Wallace. 

Funeral Service will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 6, 2024 at Parker-Price & Davidson. The family will greet friends an hour prior to the service. Private Graveside Service will be held.