Memorial services for Joy Nelson, age 86, of Wausa, were held Monday, April 15, at Evangelical Covenant Church in Wausa. Pastor Casey Holencik officiated, with burial in Woodlawn Cemetery in Wausa.
Brockhaus Funeral Home in Wausa was in charge of arrangements.
Joy died Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at Good Samaritan Society in Bloomfield.
Joy Lee Lukens Smith Nelson, Honey, Sis, Mom, and Grandma. Joy was named first by her parents, George and Amy (Burgard) Lukens, on May 12, 1937, in Bloomfield. Shortly thereafter, older brother, Daniel, started calling her Honey. Many throughout the years adopted that nickname as well. Her younger brothers, Dennis, Mike, and John all called her Sis as they were growing up. In June of 1960, Joy married Harry T. Smith. To this union, were born children, Eric, Craig, and Becky who all called her mom and blessed her with 11 grandchildren whom she adored and called her by her favorite title of Grandma. On April 25, 2004 Joy married Rowan Nelson. She moved back to Wausa and embraced the opportunity to be called Mom and Grandma again by Tami and Terry, along with seven more grandchildren.
Joy grew up in the Bloomfield, Wausa, and Crofton areas most of her life. She had stints where she also called California and Wayne, Nebraska “home.” She always loved adventures, especially with her grandchildren. Grandma Joy cherished one-on-one time. Her ability to transform mundane tasks, tell stories, turn everything into a game, was unmatched. She was creative, witty, and loved with her whole heart. Joy learned a new art form, mastered it the best she could and then she moved on to a new one. Her gardens were gorgeous, and she loved her flowers and birds. Joy made the best cakes! She made them for weddings, graduations, and especially birthdays. She rarely said no to an idea her grandchildren gave her!
From 2001-2004, Joy earned the title of Dormitory Grandma in Anderson Hall at Wayne State College. She met an international student who invited her to her home country of Mongolia. During one of those summer breaks at WSC, Joy and her dear friend, Kay, traveled to Mongolia and China. A memory she treasured.
Joy’s first love was her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was passionate and outspoken about her faith - as we all should be! She was an active member at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Wausa.
Joy was preceded in death by her parents, George and Amy Lukens; her brothers, Daniel Lukens, Mike Lukens and John Lukens; granddaughter, Greta Leigh Smith; and brother-in-law, LaVon Johnson.
Left to celebrate her life and carry on her legacy are her husband, Rowan Nelson; her children, Eric (Ruth) Smith of Wayne, Craig (Colette) Smith of Parker, Colorado, Becky (Doug) Wedekind of Newman Grove, Tami Nelson of Bartlesville, Okahoma, Terry (Karla) Nelson of Wausa; brother, Dennis Lukens of Crofton; sisters-in-law, Kay Lukens of Wichita, Kansas and Nancy Lukens of Henderson; in-laws, Richard (Marge) Nelson, Beverly Johnson and Louise Nelson all of Wausa, Dorothy (Milton) Nyberg of Baltimore, Maryland, and Beth Johnson of Lander, Wyoming; 17 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren, with three on the way; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
