Joyce Elaine Thramer

Funeral Service for Joyce E. Thramer, age 85, of Ewing were 10:00 Monday, April 18, 2016 at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Ewing, NE with Father James Kramper, Officiating. Music was provided by Bob and Rita Kester. Pallbearers were Rod Sisson, Scott Sisson, Casey Reiter, Paul Kresge, Brian Thramer, Zac Thramer, Travis Jackson, Jason Thramer, Derek Thramer, Cody Thramer, Andy Thramer, Ryan Thramer, Nic Thramer, Phil Thramer, Alex Thramer, Trevor Albert, and Tyler Albert. Gift Bearers were Granddaughters. Burial will be in St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation was Sunday, April 17, 2016 from 5 to 7 with a 7:00 p.m. Wake Service at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Ewing, Ne. Music was provided by Mark and Julie Dwyer. Joyce passed away April 13, 2016 at Golden Living Center in O'Neill, Ne. Joyce Elaine Thramer was born to William and Luella (Kuester) Kerkman on August 3, 1930, in Elgin, Nebraska, the second of ten children,  and grew up on the family farm north of Elgin, She attended District 46 West Cedar Valley School, rural Elgin, first through third grades, and St Boniface Catholic School where she graduated high school with the class of 1947. Joyce lived at home and helped out the neighbors and family with cooking, cleaning and live-in caregiver.

She was united in marriage to Alex Thramer from rural Clearwater, on August 29th, 1950, at St Boniface Catholic Church, Elgin.  Joyce and Alex farmed for the next 9 years southwest of Clearwater and Neligh.  In 1959 they moved their family to Ewing, where they purchased the Gamble Store.  Through 59 years Joyce was always at Alex's side and his partner through many endeavors and challenges: raising a family of 8 while working long &  hard on the farm, running the Gamble Store, Two Rivers Steakhouse & Cafe;   labored at Thramer Irrigation for 32 years until their retirement in 2008, while at the same time keeping up with Alex's entrepreneurial spirit and dreams.

Joyce had a passion for softball,  pitched for over 40 years, and proclaimed "the best darn fast ball pitcher in the country".  Through the years Joyce enjoyed adventures  with Alex & his planes, bowling, skiing on  Goose Lake, Summerland dances,  Two Rivers days, where she was quoted as "the best bartender in Holt County";  golfing outings with her grandchildren; and getting down and dirty in her flower gardens. She made memories and supported her childrens' and grandchildrens' special events, filled with pride and forever keeping them in her heart and prayers.  Joyce and Alex enjoyed traveling and visiting their children, grandchildren, family and friends in the area, Colorado, Arizona, Hawaii, South Dakota, California and  Washington. Joyce was an avid family history buff, and enjoyed countless days and years searching and connecting with family & friends.  The proof is in her collection of the multitude of history albums and scrapbooks! Anyone could ask her about anyone, and she would get back to them with all the details.

Joyce was a lifetime and devout Catholic, a parishioner of St. Boniface, St John & St Peter's Catholic Churches, & Christian Mothers.  She was a  Ewing Community Club and Summerland Golf Course member, and Den Mother for the Boy Scouts.

Joyce leaves behind many fond and fun memories to her family: three daughters, Linda Wingett, Ewing; Vonnie (Paul) Kresge of Lafayette, Colorado; and Teena (Tony) Albert, from Omaha; three sons, Joe (Nancy) Thramer, Spalding; Chuck Thramer of Omaha;  & Pat (Deb) Thramer from Ewing; She was a dedicated and loving Grandma to her 28  grandchildren & 20 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Leonard (Judy) Kerkman, & Cyril (Deb) Kerkman;  three sisters, Alice Kallhoff, Millie (Larry) Wanser, & Joanie (Larry) Luettel; along with many family and friends.

It is with tears of joy, celebration and peace that we commend the soul & spirit of our Mother, Grandma, sister, aunt, cousin & friend, to the glory and kingdom of  God, where she will be reunited with her parents, husband, Alex; her beloved daughters, Bev Thramer & Carol Jackson; grandson, Joshua Thramer;  her sister Phyllis Beckman; and her brothers Louis, Jim and Dean Kerkman, & a host of family and friends, greeting her with open arms. Now, that's a reunion!