About Joy
Joy Ibsen
Joy Ibsen has published six books. Her most recent is Declaration of Interdependence, a three-part exploration of human equality. Her other books are UNAFRAID I and II; Here and Hereafter, The Eternity Connection; Songs of Denmark, Songs to Live By; and Poetry in the Porkies.
Joy’s work is influenced by the Danish philosopher-theologian-poet N.F.S. Grundtvig, along with modern culture and current spiritual quests heading toward a new period of enlightenment.
Joy edited Church and Life from 2006–2019, in which she wrote a monthly editorial on social, political, and religious issues. The periodical publishes articles and stories consistent with the philosophy and theology of N.F.S. Grundtvig.
Joy attended Grand View University in Des Moines, IA, and graduated from Shimer College (now part of North Central College in Naperville, IL). She pursued graduate studies at the University of Chicago Divinity School, where she had two classes with theologian Paul Tillich. She has a certificate in Lay Ministry from the School of Theology, University of the South.
Her varied career includes serving as a caseworker in the Chicago’s Woodlawn ghetto; teaching GED to Vietnam-bound soldiers at Fifth Army Headquarters, Chicago; teaching English literature and theatre to students at St. Katherine’s/St. Mark’s preparatory school in Davenport, IA; chief planner for the Model Cities Program in Rock Island, IL; fundraising and management consulting for not-for-profit organizations; and heading the development offices at Mount Sinai, Bethany Methodist, and Swedish Covenant hospitals in Chicago. In the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, she taught piano lessons and served as church organist.
Joy Ibsen lives in sunny, urban Albuquerque, NM, after moving from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in 2018 with her husband, Don Lenef. They previously resided in Silver City, MI on the shores of Lake Superior, Trout Creek, MI, and Evanston, IL. The couple have five children and five grandchildren between them. Don Lenef died November 8, 2022.
Joy’s work is influenced by the Danish philosopher-theologian-poet N.F.S. Grundtvig, along with modern culture and current spiritual quests heading toward a new period of enlightenment.
Joy edited Church and Life from 2006–2019, in which she wrote a monthly editorial on social, political, and religious issues. The periodical publishes articles and stories consistent with the philosophy and theology of N.F.S. Grundtvig.
Joy attended Grand View University in Des Moines, IA, and graduated from Shimer College (now part of North Central College in Naperville, IL). She pursued graduate studies at the University of Chicago Divinity School, where she had two classes with theologian Paul Tillich. She has a certificate in Lay Ministry from the School of Theology, University of the South.
Her varied career includes serving as a caseworker in the Chicago’s Woodlawn ghetto; teaching GED to Vietnam-bound soldiers at Fifth Army Headquarters, Chicago; teaching English literature and theatre to students at St. Katherine’s/St. Mark’s preparatory school in Davenport, IA; chief planner for the Model Cities Program in Rock Island, IL; fundraising and management consulting for not-for-profit organizations; and heading the development offices at Mount Sinai, Bethany Methodist, and Swedish Covenant hospitals in Chicago. In the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, she taught piano lessons and served as church organist.
Joy Ibsen lives in sunny, urban Albuquerque, NM, after moving from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in 2018 with her husband, Don Lenef. They previously resided in Silver City, MI on the shores of Lake Superior, Trout Creek, MI, and Evanston, IL. The couple have five children and five grandchildren between them. Don Lenef died November 8, 2022.