Obituary for Joyce Mesmer
Joyce Mesmer, a Wisner, NE native and long-time resident passed away on January 13, 2019. Her family and friends will celebrate her life in Wisner at the United Methodist Church of Christ on Sunday, June 2, at 2:30 p.m., with the Minnick Funeral Home in Wisner assisting with local arrangements. She will be remembered as a loving sister, mother, aunt, grandmother and friend, and recognized for her dedication to her community and work toward its growth and long-term success. Her strength and faith enabled her to enjoy eighty-nine years of good health and happiness.
She was born Joyce Ann Albers on June, 3, 1929, in Wisner, to Otto and Gladys (Allworth) Albers. An only child for her first ten years, Joyce had many friends and cousins nearby. Her brother, John, and only sibling, was born in 1939. Joyce was a teacher’s daughter who exceled academically, played the saxophone in the high school band and held an usher’s job at the Royal Theater. After her high school graduation in 1947 she attended college receiving and Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts at Colorado Women’s College in Denver, and subsequently a Bachelor of Science degree in Education at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.
At the University she pledged Alpha Chi Omega, and lived in the sorority house. She also met her future husband, Fred Mesmer during those years. They were married in 1951, and after Fred’s military service, they settled in Wisner. Joyce taught third grade before retiring to raise her daughters, Sarah and Ann. As a homemaker, Joyce honed her culinary skills and enjoyed entertaining family and friends.
Joyce was a Sunday school teacher, a member of the Junior Women’s Club, a bridge club,and served two terms as the President of Chapter EP, P.E.O. She was also a member of the development committee for the Indian Trails Country Club in Beemer, where she and many others enjoyed time on the golf course. Joyce was also a Republican delegate to Nebraska’s state convention and eventually entered public service as the first woman Cuming County Supervisor. In this role she served on the area Arts Council and the Mental Health Board. She was also instrumental in the development of local support groups addressing substance abuse.
Friends and family will remember Joyce’s love of fashion and the business she shared with two close friends as a consultant for Doncaster clothing. Additionally, she enjoyed being outdoors and maintained a sizable flower and vegetable garden, always looking forward to a beautiful bouquet and the flavor of a home-grown tomato. As a University of Nebraska graduate and season ticket holder, she remained a life-long Husker football fan. Throughout her life, and particularly in retirement, Joyce enjoyed travel, visiting numerous states and countries.
In her later years Joyce left Wisner to join her daughters in Colorado. Above all, her joy was her family. Her grandchildren, Mikhail and Angela, were the light of her life. In her final hours Joyce reiterated the blessing of the love and support of her family. She died peacefully with them by her side. She is survived by her daughter Sarah and partner Sandra Griffin, daughter Ann and husband Bruce Dietrich, brother John and wife Marilyn Albers, nephews David and Curtis Albers and their families, and grandchildren Mikhail and Angela Dietrich. She was preceded in death by her parents, beloved aunt, Fleta Martin, and long-time companion, Robert Houston. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be directed to the P.E.O. Chapter House (1819 W. Cheyenne Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906) or the United Methodist Church of Christ (916 Avenue F, Wisner, NE 68791).
She was born Joyce Ann Albers on June, 3, 1929, in Wisner, to Otto and Gladys (Allworth) Albers. An only child for her first ten years, Joyce had many friends and cousins nearby. Her brother, John, and only sibling, was born in 1939. Joyce was a teacher’s daughter who exceled academically, played the saxophone in the high school band and held an usher’s job at the Royal Theater. After her high school graduation in 1947 she attended college receiving and Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts at Colorado Women’s College in Denver, and subsequently a Bachelor of Science degree in Education at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.
At the University she pledged Alpha Chi Omega, and lived in the sorority house. She also met her future husband, Fred Mesmer during those years. They were married in 1951, and after Fred’s military service, they settled in Wisner. Joyce taught third grade before retiring to raise her daughters, Sarah and Ann. As a homemaker, Joyce honed her culinary skills and enjoyed entertaining family and friends.
Joyce was a Sunday school teacher, a member of the Junior Women’s Club, a bridge club,and served two terms as the President of Chapter EP, P.E.O. She was also a member of the development committee for the Indian Trails Country Club in Beemer, where she and many others enjoyed time on the golf course. Joyce was also a Republican delegate to Nebraska’s state convention and eventually entered public service as the first woman Cuming County Supervisor. In this role she served on the area Arts Council and the Mental Health Board. She was also instrumental in the development of local support groups addressing substance abuse.
Friends and family will remember Joyce’s love of fashion and the business she shared with two close friends as a consultant for Doncaster clothing. Additionally, she enjoyed being outdoors and maintained a sizable flower and vegetable garden, always looking forward to a beautiful bouquet and the flavor of a home-grown tomato. As a University of Nebraska graduate and season ticket holder, she remained a life-long Husker football fan. Throughout her life, and particularly in retirement, Joyce enjoyed travel, visiting numerous states and countries.
In her later years Joyce left Wisner to join her daughters in Colorado. Above all, her joy was her family. Her grandchildren, Mikhail and Angela, were the light of her life. In her final hours Joyce reiterated the blessing of the love and support of her family. She died peacefully with them by her side. She is survived by her daughter Sarah and partner Sandra Griffin, daughter Ann and husband Bruce Dietrich, brother John and wife Marilyn Albers, nephews David and Curtis Albers and their families, and grandchildren Mikhail and Angela Dietrich. She was preceded in death by her parents, beloved aunt, Fleta Martin, and long-time companion, Robert Houston. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be directed to the P.E.O. Chapter House (1819 W. Cheyenne Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906) or the United Methodist Church of Christ (916 Avenue F, Wisner, NE 68791).