Betty Joyce (Kizer) Perry, one of seven children of Elza and Velois (Smith) Kizer, was born August 15, 1940 at Peru, Nebraska. She attended school in Peru, where she graduated from high school.
On March 18, 1957, Joyce was united in marriage to Dale Perry in Peru. They lived for a couple of years in Rock Port, Missouri before moving to Auburn, Nebraska, to make their home. The couple was blessed with three children: Randy, Ron, and Sharon.
In addition to running the household and raising her children, Joyce worked for many years at the sewing factory in Auburn. She worked for several employers at the plant, from when it was Danny Dare, to King Louie, to being owned by the employees.
Joyce had been a member of both the Peru VFW Auxiliary and the Auburn American Legion Auxiliary. She very much enjoyed fishing with family and friends, and liked to embroider and do hand sewing.
Suffering the effects of ill health, Joyce was able to remain at her home, cared for by family and hospice nurses. With family surrounding her, Joyce passed away Sunday, November 20, 2016, at the age of 76 years, 3 months, and 5 days. Her parents, brother Eldon, and sister Peggy preceded her in death.
Joyce is survived by her husband of almost 60 years, Dale, of Auburn; sons and daughters-in-law Randy and Julia of Peru, Ron and Diana of Nemaha; daughter and son-in-law Sharon and Wes Graham of Auburn; grandchildren Mandy and husband Aaron Drier; Randy, Jr. and wife Julie; Austin and wife Kiley Graham; Jenny and husband Mike Wallinger; Bryce Perry; Bobbi Graham; 9 great-grandchildren; sisters Anita and husband Gary Woodard of Tybee Island, GA, Karol Kizer of Lincoln, Sue Gonzalez of Fairfax, MO, Sally and husband Gordon VanGundy of Tarkio, MO; other relatives and friends.
A funeral service for Joyce was Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at Hemmingsen Funeral Home in Auburn, with Pastor Terry Weible officiating. Special pre-recorded music was played. Casket bearers were Austin Graham, Aaron Drier, Randy Perry, Jr., Bryce Perry, Aedan Drier, and Gary Adams. Honorary bearers were Jim Blex, Steve Adams, Rick Tanner, Clinton “Speck” Clark, and Buck Jones. Jean Clark and Wanda King assisted with flowers. Burial was in Sheridan Cemetery near Auburn.
View Joyce's funeral service via Livestream at:
https://livestream.com/accounts/13846112/events/6677041