Joyce Pauls, Belleville
June 19, 1936 - March 19, 2022
Joyce D. Pauls passed away at Bryan Medical Center in Lincoln, NE on March 19, 2022. She left this world at the age of 85 surrounded by her loving family.
Joyce was born on June 19, 1936 in Las Animas, Colorado to Ruby Maphet Bagshaw and Willis Bagshaw. She graduated from Liberal High School in 1954.
On August 6, 1954 she married the love of her life, Harold Pauls in Liberal, Kansas. Their marriage blessed them with four children, Catherine, Mark, Rick, and Dennis. They lived in Hooker, Oklahoma until 1969. The kids look back on fond memories of family camping trips to Red River and Cimarron Canyon. The family later moved to Glasco where they all graduated from Glasco High School.
It was here that Joyce became extremely proficient at whipping up a homemade batch of cinnamon rolls at the last minute for a ball game concession stand when one of the kids forgot to let her know ahead of time. Joyce loved being outdoors enjoying the sunshine, listening to the birds, or reading a good book, but most of all she loved cooking large meals for her family.
Music was also a big part of her life singing for many funerals and weddings. She could often be heard singing a tune and if you were really fortunate you got to hear her play “The Spinning Song” on the organ back in the day. Pepper, the family dog, enjoyed singing along with Joyce to songs from “The Sound of Music.”
After being a homemaker, Joyce started her second career as she dreamed of becoming a nurse. This dream became a reality in 1981 when she graduated from Cloud Co. Community College as a registered nurse. Shortly before this Harold and Joyce had moved to Belleville where she stayed for the rest of her life. She was employed at the Republic Co. Hospital until her retirement. Nursing was her passion and she was very conscientious in serving her patients with dignity, respect and true compassion.
After Harold’s retirement they enjoyed traveling all over the country. They reached destinations like Alaska, Jamaica, Canada, New Hampshire, among others before Harold’s passing.
Joyce’s life was centered around family and friends. She was the most generous and loving person you will ever meet and would do anything for anybody. She opened her home to many and had a special way of making her guests feel welcome. She was like a second mother to many. Her grandchildren will always remember early driving lessons, trips to the farm, nights at the fair, rides to Rocky Pond, walks to the river bridge, special improvised bedtime stories, but most importantly, that they were loved unconditionally.
Joyce was preceded in death by her husband Harold; her son Mark; her brother Max Bagshaw; her sister Lynne Goodman; and a special niece, Deidre Long.
Family she leaves behind includes daughter Catherine Edmonston of Belleville, Kansas, Rick (Lisa) of Glasco, Kansas, Dennis (Karen) of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and daughter-in-law Diane of Omaha, Nebraska; grandchildren Matt Pauls, Rachel Moore, Scott Pauls, BJ (Cristin) Edmonston, Elizabeth (Matt) Wallace, Megan Edmonston, Dan Pauls, Brian Pauls, Joshua (Iris) Pauls, Lindsay (David) Cibrian, Ben (Catherine) Pauls, Andy Pauls, Ethan Pauls, Anna Pauls; and great-grandchildren Jasmyn, Blaize, Jayla, Bailey, Jaxon, Molly, Emily, Aubrey, Brody, and Hadley. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, March 25 at 11:00 a.m. at the Glasco United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the service begins on Friday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Friendship Meals in Belleville or the Landmark Church in Belleville.
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