Joan A. Meyer
Joan A. Meyer, age 91, of Kearney, formerly of Shelton, passed away September 28, 2024, at Mount Carmel Home in Kearney. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. today, Thursday, October 3, 2024, at the United Methodist Church in Shelton. Pastor Michelle Byerly will officiate. Burial will follow in the Shelton Cemetery. Apfel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials are suggested to Shelton United Methodist Church and Shelton Fire and Rescue. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.apfelfuneralhome.com.
Joan Audrey Miller was born November 23, 1932, in Holstein to Harry and Sylvia (Petersen) Miller. She was baptized and confirmed at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Holstein. Joan grew up on a farm and attended school in Holstein, graduating with the class of 1951. She married the love of her life, Gaylord Meyer, on May 26, 1951. Joan and Gaylord enjoyed their life together for over 73 years. As an only child, Joan welcomed 12 new sisters and brothers when she married. She lived with her parents while Gaylord served with the Army during the Korean War. They were blessed with five children, Galen, Diane, Janet, Kevin and Linda. They made Shelton their home for 63 years. In 2017, they moved to Prairie View Gardens in Kearney and in 2023 to Mount Carmel Home.
Joan was employed as secretary of the Shelton School, Fairbanks International, Daws Trucking, and the Village of Shelton. She was a member of the United Methodist Church serving on various offices and committees. She was a member of Joy Circle, Shelton American Legion Auxiliary, Our Nite Out Extension Club, Chapter BI PEO and PTA, served on the Shelton School Board and Planning Commission, was a den mother, and helped with many community activities. She receivedAk-Sar-Ben Good Neighbor Award and Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award. She loved to attend auctions, collect dishes, host parties and decorate for all the holidays, especially Christmas when her 200+ piece Snow Village collection spanned the family room.
Family was the center of Joan’s life and she truly enjoyed attending her children and grandchildren’s events. Her love for family and traditions were her pride and joy. Joan will be missed by her surviving family, including husband, Gaylord, and children, Diane (Donnell) Bombeck, of Shelton, Jan (Steve) Spellman, of Kear-ney, Kevin Meyer, of Shelton, Linda Hansen, of Lincoln, and daughter-in-law Kim Meyer, of Grand Island; 14 grandchildren, Annaliese (Jared) Leiser, Allison (Alex) Bendt, (Ashlee) Meyer, Grant (Ashley) Meyer, Nathan (Shannon) Bombeck, Brandon Bombeck, Derek (Jennifer) Bombeck, Arielle (Trevor) Tripe, Trevor (Lisa) Spellman, Megan (Tyler) Herter, John (Lauren) Meyer, Haeley (Trent) Petersen, and Alex and Mattie Hansen; 21 great-grandchildren, Scarlett, Ruby and Scout Leiser, Sloane and Witt Bendt, Palmer Meyer, Lillian, Jace, Layla, Collin and Graham Bombeck, Brady, Mason and Trey Tripe, Avery and Finn Spellman, Hadley and Hank Herter, Lennon, Mila and Lainey Petersen; and sister and brothers-in-law, Jim (Diana) Meyer, Delores Meyer, Audrey Larson, Kolleen Grams, Veralu Fritson, Sherri Anderson, Lori Eiseman, Bonnie (Larry) Holmberg, Marilyn Meyer, and Billie Meyer.
She is preceded in death by her son, Galen; grandson, Wade; her parents; in-laws, Herman and Florence Meyer; brothers-in-law and sisters-inlaw, Dean (Verna) Meyer, Leon Meyer, Doyt Meyer, Ivon Meyer, Marvin Meyer, Roger Larson, Don Fritson, Alan Anderson and Charles Eiseman.
In this time of grief, let us remember and celebrate Joan’s remarkable life, a life filled with love, compassion, and an enduring commitment to God, family, friends and community.