Joyce Elaine Bernard

Joyce Elaine Bernard died Sept. 23, 2023. She had celebrated her 29th birthday 59 times!!
She was the first of four children born to Merle (Bus) and Alta (Von Stade) Dart of Enders, Nebraska on Dec. 26, 1934. She was later joined by three brothers, Gerald, Keith and Ron. Joyce graduated from Chase County High School in 1952 and married the love of her life, Jess Bernard, on Aug. 10, 1952. They lived for a short time in North Platte before returning to the family farm south of Imperial.
In 1956 they welcomed the birth of Janet Elizabeth.
Joyce and Jess were inseparable, working on the farm together and doing fun things with their friends. Special friends were Burdette and Lucille Bauerle, Richard and Jeannie Johnson, Ray and Doris Baldwin, Bernard and Sandra Nelson and Don and Pauline Grosbach.
Joyce didn’t know a stranger, and took special delight in welcoming new people to town. She loved hosting friends in her home. She was a master seamstress, cook and artist. She and Jess remodeled two homes, improving each. Joyce was in charge of the planning, Jess in the execution!
In their later years, as health started to fail, they moved to North Platte, where Jess died in 2020. Joyce continued living in her cottage at Linden Estates and made many new and dear friends there, especially Judi, Phyllis, Kathy, Joan, Virginia and Sandy.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bus and Alta Dart; brothers Keith Dart and Gerald Dart; sister in law Eula Hill Dart; and nephew Jerry Dart. She especially grieved the loss of her husband, Jess.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Dr Janet and Rob Evans and Ashli and Jayden Maris; grandsons and granddaughters Jason Evans, David and Sarah Bernard-Stevens, Matt and Shayda Bernard-Stevens, Kobe, Braxtyn, Gavyn and Anna Maris; great granddaughter Armina; and beloved grand dog Charlie. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Glenda Dart, brother and wife Ron and Connie Dart; and beloved nephews and wives John and Shelley Dart, Mike and Melissa Dart, Kevin and Janice Dart and Monte and Jennifer Dart and special niece Janet Schowalter.
The family would like to thank all her dear friends and neighbors and the staff at the Lindens for doing everything possible to enrich her life.
In keeping with her life long mission of hospitality, memorials will be given to Hope Esperanza, a foundation based in North Platte whose mission is to welcome new folks to our area and help them in getting settled.
A reception celebrating her life was held on Saturday, Sept. 30 from 2-4 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of Our Savior, 203 W 4th Street in North Platte.
Refreshments will be served.