She attended schools in Cheyenne and Rawlins, Wyoming, graduating in 1957 from Cheyenne Central. She attended Gustavus Adolphus College in MN, Colorado Teachers College in Greeley, CO and graduated from the University of Wyoming with a BA in science education in 1962. She married Richard (Dick) Clark on August 27, 1961, at St. Paul’s Lutheran in Cheyenne, WY. They had two sons, Kerry R. and Randall (Randy) T. Clark.
After graduation from UW, she worked fulltime at the UW Library while Dick completed an MS. Kerry was born and the family of 3 moved to Buhl, Idaho where Dick was employed in a bank. They moved back to Laramie in 1965, where Randall was born. The family moved to Corvallis, OR in 1968 where Dick attended graduate school. Joyce baby sat her own two and others’ children to support the family. The family moved back to Laramie in early 1971 and then to Lincoln, NE in 1975. Joyce was a full-time homemaker during these times using her education to help her young sons become adjusted to the world. She volunteered for children’s activities throughout their schooling. In 1988 their son Kerry died. Joyce and Dick were then living in North Platte, NE and Joyce became a very active member and leader of The Compassionate Friends Chapter in North Platte until 2003 when they returned to Lincoln. She was a compassionate leader and listener and helped many families who had lost children. Upon returning to Lincoln, she became active in Southwood Lutheran Church volunteering as a Peacemaker, the Backpack Program at Saratoga School, and Clinic with a Heart. One of her friends said that Joyce truly reflected the Joy in her name.
She is survived by her husband Dick, son Randy, Randy’s wife Mendy, three granddaughters Mariah (Matt) Childers, Lindsey Clark (Stuart Piper), Alyssa (fiancé Daylan Bryant), three Great Grandchildren, Scarlett and Beckett Childers and Hazel Piper, sister Marge Myers, Torrington WY, Sister-in-law Louise (Richard) Person, Albin, WY, family of the heart, Teri and Bill Sabo, Pueblo, CO, nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by son Kerry and her parents.
Visitation will be held with family greeting friends from 5:00-7:00 PM, Wednesday March 6, 2024, at Roper and Sons South Chapel, 3950 Hohensee Dr.
Service will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday March 7, 2024, at Southwood Lutheran Church, 4301 Wilderness Hills Blvd.
Burial will be at 9:00 AM on Monday, March 11, 2024, at Lakeview Cemetery in Cheyenne, WY.
Memorials to Good Samaritan fund at Southwood Lutheran or to the Nature Conservancy – Nebraska Chapter.