Joyce Cooley Obituary

Joyce Clarene Schaefer Cooley

September 26, 1938 - November 3, 2023

Born in Lindsey, Nebraska, to Joseph and Mary Schaefer, she was the 8th of 9 children. She graduated High School in 1956 from St. Bonaventure Catholic School in Columbus, NE.

She and her family moved to Elko, NV in 1972. She worked locally at Penny Wise Drug Store running the cosmetics department until the store's closing. Joyce married Allan Cooley Aug. 29, 1976 blending two families that included seven teenagers.

She and Allan opened the Christian Books & Gifts store in 1983 and retired after 15 years in that business.

Joyce lived her life knowing that her final destination was heaven and looked forward to being in the presence of her Savior. She enjoyed working in her flower gardens, playing cards and games, studying the Bible, pursuing Jesus, and spending time with family and friends.

She passed from this life into her Savior's presence surrounded by her husband and children.

She is preceded in death by both parents, 6 sisters and 1 brother. She is survived by her husband Allan, children Sharon Lewis Irish (Bert), Cheryl Cooley Perrine (Bob), Dennis Cooley (Kristin), Kathy Lewis Schroeder (Kim), Beth Lewis Holmes (CJ), Ronald Cooley (Jody), and David Lewis (Dan), 20+ grandchildren and 25+ great grandchildren, and her sister Sherry Williamson Howell.

The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to Kevin and Lisa Dinwiddie, Allison Meyer, Grace Baptist Church, Pastors Jeremy Ehmann and Shad Hutnyak. And a very special thanks to Joyce's (and her family's) treasured friend, Joyce Morton, for all the love, support, friendship and sourdough bread.

The family intends to have a celebration of life in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Guiding Light Hospice, who served Joyce and her family with compassion and care during a difficult and sad time.