Obituary: Edna Joy

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In memory of

Edna Joy

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Friday, March 29, 2013 at the Philip Nursing Home in Philip at the age of 94

Edna M. Eckert was born on July 10, 1918 to John and Marie (Koerner) Eckert. She was raised at the family farm 9 miles south of Midland. Edna was baptized and confirmed at St Peters Lutheran Church. There were 8 children in the family, Edna being the oldest girl was responsible for helping her mother with the chores and younger brothers and sisters. As a young girl she was not too excited about playing with her doll as she had real babies to tend too. She walked or rode a horse to the country school two miles from her home which she attended through the 8th grade. After the eighth grade she worked for other families baby-sitting and other odd jobs. Edna went to work for Fern and Archie Joy taking care of their children, there she met her future husband Harold “Stub” Joy. They were married about a year later. They honeymooned in the Black Hills with a new car Stub purchased for $600. Together they worked long hours at their service station and lived in an apartment at the back of the garage.
Their first child, Sharon Kay was born in 1944. When Sharon was 18 months old they moved into the house where Edna would live for the next 63 years. In 1948 a son Larry Dale joined the family. As a family they enjoyed vacationing in the Black Hills, fishing and checking cows together. Their home was a second home to many. Edna moved to the Silver Leaf Assisted Living in Philip in 2009. In 2012 she moved to the Nursing Home in Philip in both places she was lovingly cared for by their outstanding staff.
Edna was always very active in her community. She was in several clubs and a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church where she was a Sunday School teacher, Mission Band leader and a member of Ruth Circle. She enjoyed walking, sewing and had made many quilts for her family, and baking rolls and cookies which she shared with many friends and family over the years. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with family.
Grateful for having shared her life include her daughter Sharon Hemmingson and her husband Dave of Philip; her son Larry Joy and his wife Barb of Pierre; five grandchildren Tammie (Marty) Quinn, Todd (Sharon) Hemmingson, Tonya (John) Kramer, Jaremy (April) Joy, and Josh (Amy) Joy; eight great-grandchildren Tyler and Kaitlyn Hemmingson, Tanner and Brianna Quinn, Coy, Corbin and Colden Kramer and Owen Joy; three sisters Vera Portanova and her husband “Port” of Camarillo, California, Esther Downen and her husband Maynard of Fairburn, and Irene Willoughby and her husband “Red” of Midland; a brother Melvin Eckert and his wife Gail of Rapid City; and a host of other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husband Stub in 1969 she is preceded in death by her parents and three brothers Harold, John and Milo Eckert.
Visitation was held 5-7 p.m. on Monday, April 1, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Tuesday.
Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 2, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Midland, with Pastor Frezil Westerlund officiating.
Interment was at the Midland Cemetery.
A memorial has been established.

FUNERAL SERVICES
Tuesday, April 2, 2013 - 10:00 a.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church
Midland, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Frezil Westerlund
MUSIC
Scotti Block - Pianist
Elvera Moos - Vocalist
“How Great Thou Art”
Congregational Hymns
“The Old Rugged Cross”
“What A Friend We Have In Jesus”
READER
Jessica Root
USHERS
Gary Phillips - Keith Harry
PALLBEARERS
Tammie Quinn - Marty Quinn
Todd Hemmingson - Sharon Hemmingson
Tonya Kramer - John Kramer
Jaremy Joy - April Seifert
Joshua Joy - Amy Joy
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Edna’s Nieces, Nephews, and Great-Grandchildren
INTERMENT
Midland Cemetery
Midland, South Dakota

Open the Memorial Folder

Visitation: 5-7 p.m. on Monday, April 1, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip
Funeral services: 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 2, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Midland.
Interment: Midland Cemetery.

Sign the guestbook

Todd and Sharon and Family~
Our sincere sympathy in the loss of your grandmother. We will be thinking of you in these days ahead. Blessings to all. ~ Jason and Vonda Hamill Milesville (3/29/2013)
Tonya, John, and Family~
Sincere sympathy to you all in the loss of your grandmother. You will be in our thoughts in the days ahead. ~ Jason and Vonda Hamill Milesville (3/29/2013)
We are sorry for your loss. Our prayers and blessings of comfort. Love, Mike & Shar ~ Mike & Shar Moses Philip (3/29/2013)
Sharon, Larry & families
Another one of the "greats" are gone!!! We have many memories of the "good old days" in Midland! Edna was such a good neighbor to so many. Love & prayers! ~ Emily & Ronnie Sammons Midland (3/29/2013)
Sharon and Larry and families, Our thoughts and prayers will be with you at this time. We still miss our neighbor taking her walk. ~ Gene and Audrey Jones Midland (3/29/2013)
Sharon and Larry,
Sorry to hear about your monther's passing. Some of my earliest memories are of spending time at your house. As I remember, our mothers were close friends and Sharon I believe you are only three days older than I, but its seems like we had a couple of combined birthday parites. I don't know how recent the picture is of your mother, but she looks alot like she did 54 years ago when my mother passed away. ~ Marv Niedan Paynesville, MN (3/29/2013)
Sharon, Larry and Families,
My heart goes out to you in this time of sorrow at the loss of your mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Instead of sorrow, let it be Joy that she is now in the arms of Our Lord Jesus Christ. As she past from this Earthly Life to her Heavenly Life she was met with such JOY of her loving husband Stub, her parents, brothers and so many friends. There is rejoicing in heaven. This is the time to celebrate her life, not mourn.
I have so many good memories of Aunt Edna, many from when I was young and especially of the month she spent with me in Hawaii. From the visits with my mother, Vera, here on CA, her famous baking, especially cinnamon bread (my husband's favorite), the time when I was ten and she made Sharon and I shirts out of license plate material, to the quilts she made us. I loved her dearly and someday we will be together again...PRAISE GOD! ~ JoAnn and Wayne Catalano 426 Baja Ct Camarillo, CA 93010 (3/29/2013)
Sending thoughts and prayers---Would imagine Edna is feeling a victory to be free of earthly bonds and resting in the presence of her Savior. She was a beautiful lady. ~ Justin and Joyce Wheeler 24208 Fairview Rd. Philip, SD (3/29/2013)
So sorry for you loss. May you feel Gods arms around you as you grieve. Let him give you comfort in all of the memories and times that you shared. Remember her loving ways and let that warm your heart and put a smile on your face!
Love
David, Michelle, Kelcey, Katie and Lukas ~ Michelle Butler Philip (3/29/2013)
Dear Sharon and families
What a perfect example of the word 'joy' your mother was! She delighted in humor and kept us laughing with her clever wit. I loved how her eyes twinkled when we were teasing her or she was teasing us. May the Lord wrap you in His great comfort as you walk through this sad time. God Bless you all.
~ Rocky and Rebecca Williams Phlip, SD (3/29/2013)
Sharon & family,
Sorry to hear about the loss of your Mom; Mom's are very special people and I know that You will miss her! You are in our thoughts & Prayers. Love, Kathy & Jerry ~ Jerry & Kathy Noteboom 13886 onammi ave yuma, az. 85367 (3/29/2013)
Sharon & families, our hearts go out to you & our thoughts and prayers for your loss. ~ Sandy & Jack Nantais Centerville, SD (3/29/2013)
Sharon, Larry and families, Sorry we are still in Texas and will not be there for the funeral. She was such a dear lady. May God bless you during this Easter season and beyond. ~ Vernon and JoDean Joy Miller, SD (3/29/2013)
Edna was a dear, dear lady. She was always so kind to me when I lived in Midland and anytime after that that I saw her. I stayed overnight at her house with Pat one night in high schoo1. She was a gracious hostess. I am blessed to have known her. ~ Jeanie Waara (3/29/2013)
Sharon, Larry and Families- We were so sorry to hear your mother had passed. We know how much you will miss her. We used to take our children to the Midland park when they were little and Edna would always be watching and waving from her front door. She was never too busy to stop and visit while she was taking her walk around town or watering the park flowers. We pray she is at peace now. ~ Larry and Julie McLaughlin Midland (3/29/2013)
I am so sorry for the loss of Edna. She was such a special lady! Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. ~ Mary Jo Jones Midland (3/29/2013)
we are so sorry for you loss...our thoughts and prayers are with you always. GOD BLESS YOU..
~ nancy neville philip (3/29/2013)
Sharon, Dave and Family we are so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all at this time and praying you find comfort in the beautiful memories you have of this beautiful lady. ~ Gary and Julie Nixon Philip, SD (3/29/2013)
Larry & Sharon and family. So sorry to learn of the passing of your Mom. Remember all the good happy times she brought to your life. A special lady who shared God's love with others. You are blessed to have her as your Mom. God bless you always. Joyce Williamson ~ Joyce Vollmer Williamson Rapid City (3/29/2013)
Sorry to hear about your Mom. May God be with all your family's at this time. ~ Mary Schofield Midland (3/29/2013)
Our sincere sympathy to you in this time of loss. May the many memories be your healing power and prayers. ~ Marsha and Bill Sumpter Kadoka (3/29/2013)
Thoughts and prayers to you all. Its always hard to loose our loved ones. What a nice tribute to her with the slide presentation. Blessings from us that your saddness becomes lighter and the memories increase. ~ Pat and Jim Suedkamp Pierre (3/29/2013)
What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful lady. The pictures show what a loving family she had and that last song told the story. Yes, another bright star in Heaven.
~ Edith Schofield Casper, Wy. (3/29/2013)
Sharon, Dave, Larry & Barb & families. Just viewed the video-what a blessing. The many years as neighbors, the many play times when we were young, the many "coffees", our lives together growing up - what great memories. Our parents were such good friends. Thank you for your continued friendship & blessings to each of you as you continue your journeys. Love, Bev ~ Bev Johnson Denver, Co (3/29/2013)