Joan D. Mace

Joan Dolph Mace

May 23, 1927 - Dec. 7, 2018

McCOOK, Neb. — Joan Dolph Mace, age 91, of McCook, passed away Friday, Dec. 7, 2018, at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook.

Joan was born on May 23, 1927, in McCook, to parents, Elzy Newton and Grace Dolph (Hayward) McDowell. She graduated from Hayes Center High School with the Class of 1945. After graduation, Joan attended beauty school in Grand Junction, Colo.

On Sept. 2, 1947, she was united in marriage to Verne “Howard” Mace in Colorado. To this union three sons and one daughter were born. They spent 16 years in North Platte, where Howard drove a tanker truck and Joan was busy mother and homemaker. The family moved in 1963 to Oberlin, Kan., where Joan was busy working at their family business, Centennial Bowl, until 1974, at which time they sold the business and moved to McCook where Howard still drove a semi-truck and Joan enjoyed playing bingo and bowling.

Joan was a life-long member of the United Methodist Church. Other memberships included, Grand Lodge Member of the B.P.O DOES, Eureka Chapter of Eastern Star No. 86, McCook Women’s Bowling Association, McCook Chapter of Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary No. 70 of Oberlin, KS, and U.S. Submarine Veterans of WW II Wahoo Chapter Auxiliary.

Joan’s hobbies included bowling, playing bingo, and Grandma Jo’s Summer Camp. Joan and Howard celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary by taking a cruise to Alaska along with their son, Henry and his wife, Karen, who also celebrated their 30th, along with fellow Sub Veterans and their wives. While in Alaska they renewed their wedding vows. Joan also had the privilege of attending 14 National DOES Conventions along with her daughter, Sandy and Sister DOES.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Elzy and Grace McDowell; her husband, Verne “Howard” Mace, April 1, 2014; brother, Edward McDowell and wife, Hazel; and sisters, Helen Lucille Johnson and husband, Rolla, and DeWinta McDowell.

Survivors include her daughter, Sandra “Sandy” and husband, Rod Lytle, of McCook; three sons, Chief Thomas Mace. USN(Retired) of San Diego, Calif., Jerry Mace of Los Angeles, Calif., and Henry Mace and wife, Karen, of Tecumseh, Kan.; five grandchildren, Christina (Barney) Blas of Chula Vista, Calif., Chester Mace of San Diego, Michelle (Russell) Collins of Lynnwood, Wash., Matthew (Becky) Mace of Topeka, Kan., and Joshua Lytle of McCook; eight great-grandchildren, Tiara Mace, Teyana Mace, Alex Blas, Aleja Blas, Ivy Collins, Caden Collins, Caleb Mace and Koby Collins; and special granddaughter, Marcie Doak of McCook; numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of family and friends.

Memorials may be given in her name.

Visitation will be Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook, with family present from 5 to 7 p.m. to greet friends. Friends may go online at www.herrmannfh.com to extend words of condolence to the family.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018, 11 a.m. at Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel, McCook, with Mike Roth and Lorri Kentner officiating. The local B.P.O. Does will also conduct a service. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. It was Joan’s wish that everyone attending her funeral would please wear red if possible to celebrate her life.

Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook entrusted with arrangements.