Joyce Elaine Holcomb, 83, of Gering, passed away Saturday, May 8, 2021 at home. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 3pm on Friday, May 14, 2021 at Christ The King Catholic Church in Gering with Father Mike McDonald as Celebrant. Interment will take place at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Morrill. Visitation will be on Thursday from 5pm – 7pm at the church with a Rosary at 7pm. The family respectfully requests that in lieu of any flowers, memorials in Joyce’s honor be made in care of the Farm and Ranch Museum or Regional West Foundation for UNMC Nursing Scholarship. Online condolences may be made by viewing Joyce’s memorial page at www.bridgmanfuneralhome.com. Bridgman Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Scottsbluff is in charge of arrangements.
Joyce was born September 29, 1937. Her father was Nathaniel Harrison Moore and mother was Emma (Findeis) Moore. Her early childhood years were lived in Pawnee City, Bridgeport, and Scottsbluff; the family then settled in Morrill. She graduated 1955 from Morrill High School. In September 1956 Joyce entered the University of NE Medical Center School of Nursing; in March 1957 she was “capped” and in 1959 she graduated with her BSN. Joyce later pursued a medical specialty in Anesthiology (MANS) and Post-Anesthesiologist/Recovery. Joyce is long remembered for her stellar nursing career, in a wide variety of settings, most notable at St. Mary’s Hospital, Regional West Medical Center, NWC School of Nursing, and Panhandle Community Service Health Center.
Joyce had innate ability to relate to people and give them the true feeling of being cared for. Joyce married Richard Lee Holcomb of Lyman, NE on December 26, 1959. She was deeply involved with her church, Christ the King; she enjoyed the strong community and often referred to fellow church members as her “family in Christ”. One particular church group that she and her husband, Richard, were involved with was Marriage Encounter. Together they developed a marriage of strength, love, and joy. They lived an inspiring married life, full of adventures and challenges. Joyce had many interests in her life: gardening, music, art, sports, and she is fondly remembered as a true lover of books. Family was the center of Joyce’s life. Her home, like her heart, was always open and shared with family and friends.
She delighted in the success and talents of others; finding special ways to celebrate them.
We cherish Joyce for the memories she leaves us, those moments in which she gave us her love, understanding, strength, and the real meaning of togetherness.
Joyce is survived by her children: Nancy, spouse Daryl Leavenworth, of Gering; Gregory, spouse Barbara, of Bend, Oregon; Phillip, spouse Chris, of Gering; Robert of Gering; Kimberly of Gering; and Matthew, spouse Erin, of Scottsbluff; grandchildren: Nicholas, spouse Miranda, of Phoenix, AZ; Adam Leavenworth, spouse Stacy, of Scottsbluff; Amanda Alkire, spouse Kyle, of Phoenix, AZ; great grandchildren: Brooke and Hailey Holcomb of Phoenix, AZ; brothers: Lee Moore, spouse Susan, of Lincoln, NE; and Leo Moore of Cheyenne, WY. Joyce is also survived by many extended family members that she treasured and deeply loved.
Joyce is preceded in death by her husband, Richard Holcomb; parents, Nathaniel and Emma Moore; sister, Edith Helm; brother, Nat Moore; son, Charlie Holcomb;
granddaughter, Erin Leavenworth; great grandson, Hunter Alkire; son-in-law David Smith; and many other beloved family members.
