Joyce I. (Karnes) Peter

Joyce Irene (Karnes) Peter
July 22, 1938 ~ April 24, 2024

Joyce Irene (Karnes) Peter, 85, passed away with her loving family at her side, April 24, 2024, at the Sheridan County Health Complex. Joyce was born on the family farm in rural Sheridan County on July 22, 1938, to Floyd and Ida Nell (Schropp) Karnes. She grew up with her sister, Judith Weeks and brother, Victor Karnes. Joyce attended Sheridan County High School and graduated with the class of 1956. After graduation, she married Charles Babcock. They moved to Hays, Kansas and were blessed with three children, Douglas, Susan, and Kristine. They later divorced.

Joyce and her children moved to Hoxie where she worked as secretary at the Hoxie High School. In 1971, Joyce married Verl Mowry. He passed away in 1977. Joyce met Gary Gayle Peter, and they were married January 16, 1988. They lived on Gary’s farm and spent many happy years together. Gary passed away on May 20, 1996. Joyce moved back to Hoxie and worked at the Sheridan County Hospital until she retired. Joyce was an excellent seamstress, making many of her children’s clothes and made a blue jean quilt for each of her children and grandchildren. Joyce’s passion was spending time with her grandchildren and family. She was a member of the Hoxie Presbyterian Church and had a deep faith and showed it to others with her kindness and caring. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Joyce leaves to mourn her passing son, Douglas Babcock and wife Dalene of Hoxie, Kansas; daughters, Susan Ellmore and husband John of Garden City, Kansas and Kristine Babcock of Hoxie, Kansas; step-children, Tom Peter, Tony Peter, and Jeni Duerksen; sister, Judith Weeks of Hoxie, Kansas; sister-in-law, Ardith Karnes of Hoxie, Kansas; 9 grandchildren; 8 step-grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Verl Mowry and Gary Peter; brother, Vic Karnes; stepson; Vern Mowry, and step-grandson; Vess Mowry.

A funeral service is planned for Friday, May 3, 2024, 10:30 A.M. at the Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, Hoxie, Kansas with burial following the service in the Selden Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday, May 2, 2024, from 2:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home with family receiving friends from 5:30 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Memorials are suggested To the Sheridan County Library or the Sheridan County Long Term Care Activities. Memorials may be sent in care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, PO Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740. Words of comfort may be left at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com.