Elva "Joyce" Knoderer

Elva "Joyce" Knoderer passed away peacefully in her sleep Wednesday morning, Oct. 13, 2010, after a long illness with Alzheimer's disease.

Joyce was born Easter Sunday, April 12, 1925, to Elva and Riley Kafer, and remained a lifelong resident in the Nevada area. Joyce graduated from Nevada High School and continued her education at the Kansas City Business College. She was then employed by Hallmark Cards writing greetings. She returned to Nevada where she met and married her best friend, Tony, while employed by Farm and Home.

Joyce enjoyed sports in her younger years. She participated in softball; bowling leagues and the ladies golf club. In addition, she was given the opportunity to try out for minor league ladies softball during World War II.

Joyce was a hobby enthusiast. Among her many loves were: sewing, painting and ceramics. She and Viola Urner owned and operated the ViJoy Shanty Shack, not only fabricating ceramics, but offering classes to the public. Other hobbies she loved included: bird watching, stained glass, crocheting, embroidering, making dolls, quilting, shopping (particularly with and for her grandchildren) and traveling. She toured all 50 states, many of them multiple times.

Joyce was active in Business and Professional Women. She was elected as BPW Woman of the Year in 1992. Another love was her beloved Order of the Eastern Star, where she obtained the position of Past Worthy Matron. Joyce was a very active member of the First Baptist Church of Nevada, serving as a Sunday school teacher, Girls Association (G.A.) leader and church treasurer.

She also volunteered her services for the Girl Scouts of America, the American Red Cross and the Nevada Regional Hospital.

Joyce was the second of five children. In addition to her father and mother preceding her in death were her brothers, Keith, Jim, Ken and sister, Letha.

She was married to Tony for 55 years who also preceded her in death.

Survivors of the family are a son, Stan and wife, Brenda; a daughter, Joyce; three grandchildren, Stanna Dawson and husband, Brock, Brandon and wife, Destiny, and Carissa Edge and husband, Dustin; great-grandchildren Matthew, Isaiah and Desi'Rae, with another great-granddaughter on the way, Arianna. Joyce is also survived by her niece, Kay Scotten, as well as many other extended family members.

Donations may be made to the Missouri Baptist Children's Home or to the Alzheimer's Research Association.

Services will be Friday at 4 p.m., at the First Baptist Church of Nevada. The family will receive friends from 3 p.m. until service time at the church. Interment will be Monday, at the Fort Scott National Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.