Joyce E. Clarke

Joyce Clarke age 72, passed from this earth on August 6th, 2017 in Broken Bow, Nebraska. On March 3, 1945 Joyce Elaine Burnett was born 5 ½ miles southwest of Berwyn NE to Leota Lorene (Haddix) Burnett and Alfred Peter Burnett.  Joyce was blessed to grow up with one sister and one brother.  Her infant brother Esty Donald passed away shortly after birth. Her early education was at Prairie View School 3 miles northwest of where she lived.  She was always quick to tell her grandchildren that she rode a horse to school.  After the closing of Prairie View in 1956, the rest of her elementary school was in Berwyn.  High School was attended in Broken Bow, NE where she graduated with the class of 1963. Joyce attended St. Frances Business School in Grand Island, NE.  She and Hugh (Mike) Clarke were married on April 11, 1964.  Their first home was in the Dale Valley neighborhood and they later made their home southwest of Berwyn where her great grandparents homesteaded in 1888.  They were blessed with 4 children Deborah Dee, Lisa LeeAnn, Michael David and Christy Jo.  Joyce kept very busy “bussing” her children to and from elementary school in Berwyn then later following their many activities especially while they participated in 4-H, FFA, and Rodeos. Early on you could always find Joyce riding horses, helping with the cattle, or making hay.  She tried to spend as little time as possible in the house because she loved the outdoors. Joyce and Mike enjoyed couples bowling on Tuesdays.  She was always volunteering her time for organizations she cared deeply about.  She was a blood donor, charter member of the Catholic Daughters court in Broken Bow, a St. Joseph’s Altar Society member, member of the Berwyn Election Board and later served on the Berwyn township board.   She was a frugal person and always found much good in the many used items she acquired.  As her children grew and married she became a caregiver to young and old alike. They celebrated their 50th anniversary with their family in April of 2014. She had a special place in her heart for the little ones she helped care for: Taylor and Samuel Duncan; Samuel, Zachary, Maddie and Ava Loy; Addison and Canon Priest.  Joyce was preceded in death by her parents Alfred and Leota Burnett, daughter Deborah Dee Isaacs, infant brother Esty Donald, Granddaughter Jessica (Isaacs) Jawarski, Mother and Father in-law, Hugh and Bertha Clarke, Brother in-law Ira Howard. Left to cherish her memories are her husband of 53 years, Hugh (Mike) Clarke of Berwyn, NE; daughter Lisa (Tom) McMillan and their children Russell, BaiLee and Sam of Milburn, NE; son Michael (Michelle) Clarke and their children Lacey, Laine and Levi of Berwyn, NE; daughter Christy (Josh) Berghorst and their children Alex, Trey and Wade of Berwyn, NE; son in-law Robert Isaacs of Shelton and two great granddaughters Natalie and Nora.  Her sister Beverly (Dale) Mattox of Cheyenne, WY and brother Jack (Jean) Burnett of Broken Bow, NE; sister in-law Bertha Ann Howard, Phoenix, AZ; brother in-law Ed (Mary) Clarke, Greeley CO; sister in-law Mary (Wayne) Jones, Greeley, CO; Patricia (Buddy) Naffzinger, Evans, CO; as well as many nieces and nephews. Joyce is also survived by her “special daughter” Brenda Melcher.     A Mass of Christian Burial for Joyce Clarke age 72 of Broken Bow formerly of Berwyn will be held on Thursday August 10, 2017 at 10:00 AM at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Broken Bow with Father Jim Hunt officiating. The burial will be at the Janesville Cemetery at Berwyn, NE.  A visitation will be held on Wednesday August 9, 2017 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow and Wednesday evening 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the church.  A Rosary service will be held at 7:00 PM on Wednesday evening at the church.  Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date.