Joyce Ilene Neuenschwander

March 29, 1931-June 6, 2011

CULBERTSON, Nebraska -- Joyce Ilene Neuenschwander, 80, passed away Monday, June 6, 2011, at Bryan LGH Medical Center East in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Joyce was born in Dundy County on March 29, 1931, to Edward Howard and Esther Grace (Heye) Rousselle. She attended grade school at rural Fairview District No. 58 and graduated from Wauneta High School in 1948. She continued her education at Rockmont College in Denver, Colorado and completed her studies at Fort Wayne Bible College in Fort Wayne, Indiana where she graduated with a bachelor's degree of religious education.

Joyce taught in various schools including rural Hitchcock County and Salem Children's Home in Flanagan, Illinois. It was in Flanagan that she met her future husband, Benjamin. They were married on Aug. 1, 1955, at Eden Missionary Church in rural Wauneta, Nebraska. Together they raised their three daughters. Besides being a busy mother and homemaker, Joyce worked at Ben Franklin, Alco and cooked at the Culbertson Schools' cafeteria for many years.

She was a member of the Evangelical Free Church in McCook where she was involved with the mission's team, Bible studies groups and was in the process of reading her Bible completely through again. She enjoyed collecting teapots and angels, crocheting, reading, puzzles and playing games with family and friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Edward and Esther Rousselle; and son-in-law, Alan Harms.

Survivors include her husband of 55 years, Benjamin Neuenschwander of Culbertson; three daughters, Sandy Harms of Hayes Center, Nebraska, Celesta and husband, John Rhodes of Riley Township, Michigan, and Sonja Greene of Sacramento, California; one sister, Iola and husband, Don Egle of Bella Vista, Arkansas; six grandchildren, Jody Greene-Warren and husband, Aaron, Jarrad Greene, Benjamin Rhodes, Zachary Rhodes, Aimee Hazlitt and husband, Mitch and Drew Harms; nieces; nephews; cousins; her church family; and many dear friends.

Visitation is at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home on Thursday, June 9, from 1-8 p.m. The family will be present from 6-8 p.m. to greet friends.

Memorials may be given in her name to the Evangelical Free Church Building Fund.

Memorial services are Saturday, June 11, 2011, 10:30 a.m. at Evangelical Free Church with Rev. Bruce Lester officiating. A private family inurnment is at the Culbertson Cemetery at a later date.

Friends may send condolences to the family at www.carpenterbreland.com.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook is in charge of the arrangements.