Joyce J. Purucker

Joyce J. Purucker, 84, of rural Hubbard, NE died on Monday, June 13, 2016 at her home. Funeral services for Joyce will be held on Thursday, June 16, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Emerson with Pastor Gretchen Ritola and Vicar Rebecca Truland officiating. The visitation will be held on Wednesday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the church with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery of Emerson. Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home of Emerson is in charge of the arrangements. Joyce was born on April 28, 1932 in Spencer, SD, the daughter of Albert and Ione (Horn) Adams. She attended Wayne State College in Wayne, NE, where she earned her teachers certification. She taught all grades at the Bell School southwest of Hubbard, NE. On October 9, 1953, Joyce was united in marriage to Billy Purucker in Homer, NE. The couple farmed in the Hubbard area until his death on September 25, 1993. She continued to live on the farm until her death. She enjoyed quilting and coffee hour in Waterbury, and was active and enthusiastic about Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. She enjoyed the county fairs, her pets, and livestock. Joyce is survived by her sons, Alan Lynn (Cindy) Purucker of Ponca, NE and Rory D. (Audrey) Purucker of Hubbard, NE; daughter, JoAnn (Henry) Kim of Vermillion, SD; six grandchildren; and three great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Roger (Shirley) Adams of Cairo, NE; sisters, Bev Scheer of Moville, IA, Lois Adams of Waterbury, NE, Leona Olson of Sioux City, IA, Margie Stark of Hubbard, NE, Barb (Dale) Strivens of Allen, NE, and Linda (Jerry) Gieger of Sioux City, IA. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Billy; sisters, Bernice Fendrick and Rayme Moore; and one brother, Richard “Dick” Adams.