Joyce Ann Engel was born on August 17, 1934, at the Engel Ranch south of Valentine, NE. Her parents were Joseph and Mary (Boltz) Engel. Joyce passed away on January 31, 2024, at the Sandhills Care Center in Ainsworth, NE.
Joyce attended a rural school throughout most of her grade school years. She graduated from the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture at Curtis, NE in 1951 with a Normal Training Certificate. For the next four years, Joyce taught K-8 grades in the Cherry County Rural Schools. During the summer time, she attended classes at Kearney State College. In 1955, Joyce entered Chadron State College full time. She received her BA in 1959 and began teaching high school English at Thedford that year. Joyce continued her education during the summer months, receiving her MA in 1963 at CSC, her Doctorate from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln in 1974, her Specialist Degree in School Psychology in 1976 from Vermillion, SD and her Specialist Degree in Administration in 1980 from CSC.
On March 3, 1956, Joyce married John D. Carr. To this union were born a son, Jerrold (J.D.) Carr and a daughter, Janen (Jan) Epke. John passed away on October 12, 1985. Joyce married James E. Colvin on November 24, 1990.
Joyce spent over 45 years working in the field of education. She taught English, speech, physical education, coached, and was librarian at Thomas County High School at Thedford, Cody, Valentine, and Wynot Public Schools. Joyce worked as a special education teacher, school psychologist, and Director of Special Education for the Educational Service Unit #17 for approximately 25 years.
Joyce also taught off campus graduate and undergraduate classes for both Chadron and Kearney State Colleges. For a few years, she was also a principal for some Class I Rural Schools. She was a member of the NE School of Psychologist Association for a number of years and during that time she served on their Executive Board. In 1980 and again in 1993 Joyce was presented the Founder’s Award and Outstanding School Psychologist Award for work in the field of school psychology in Nebraska. Joyce served on the Human and Legal Rights Committee for the Keya Paha/Cherry Developmental Services for several years. She was a lifetime member and an officer of the VFW Auxiliary #5138 and the American Legion Auxiliary #90. She was involved in many activities for the veterans. She served as a Pink Lady for the Cherry County Hospital Auxiliary and was a member of the Valentine Methodist Women for many years. Joyce did volunteer work for the Valentine Senior Center, served on the Executive Board, and ate many meals there. Joyce also served on the Executive Board for the Cherry Hills Estate several years.
Joyce enjoyed traveling, seeing most of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, Mexico, Panama Canal, Canada, the Caribbean Islands, and several cruises, usually accompanied by her special cousin, Jeanne Joiner. She also enjoyed playing cribbage, bridge and just about any card game. She said that she enjoyed the many friends she made, as much as cards. Her greatest love was her family.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Joseph Engel; her husbands, John Carr and Jim Colvin; her brothers, Robert, George, and John; and her sisters, Mary Young and Jo Reagan.
Joyce is survived by her daughter, Jan (Don) Epke of Springview, NE; her son, J.D. Carr of Yankton, SD; granddaughters, Kris (Tanner) Tool of Elm Creek, NE, Kasy Epke of Valentine, NE, and Kami Epke of Elm Creek, NE; great-grandsons, Cavan and Carden Tool of Elm Creek, NE; sister, Pat (Dave) Schubauer, of Black Hawk, SD; nephews, Mike (Shelia) Young of Valentine, NE, Mark Young of Wood Lake, NE, James (Diane) Engel of Waverly, NE; John (Allison) Schubauer of Vale, SD, and niece, Kristine (Jeromy) Starmer of Summerset, SD; stepdaughters, LaDel (Ken) Jankord of Pierre, SD, and Dixie Colvin of Albuquerque, NM; stepson, Tim (Dana) Colvin of Valentine, NE; step grandchildren T.C. (Lacee) Colvin of Valentine, NE, Eric (Jordan) Colvin of Lincoln, NE, and Christen (John) Shelbourn of Bennington, NE; several step greatgrandchildren; numerous cousins, great-nieces and nephews, and many friends. In lieu of flowers, she requested memorials to the Valentine Senior Center or The Methodist Church of Valentine.
A memorial graveside service will be held on Friday, February 9th at 11:00 a.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery in Valentine. A luncheon will follow the graveside service at the Valentine Methodist Church in Valentine. Wake with register book signing will be on Thursday, February 8th at 5:00 p.m. at Sandoz Chapel of the Pines. Sandoz Chapel of the Pines in Valentine is entrusted with service arrangements.
