Joyce Rothers

Joyce Lee Rothers, age 69 years of Corning, departed this life and went to her heavenly home on November 24th, 2008 at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital with all her family at her side. She had courageously battled cancer the past two years, never complaining, thinking only of her beloved family to the end.

Joyce was born February 25, 1939 in Seneca, the daughter of Joe Shaffer and Mildred Neville Shaffer. When Joyce was a child her mother married Byron Nightingale. She attended Seneca Public School until the age of 9. Joyce spent happy years with the family growing up on their farm near Corning. She graduated from Corning High in 1957. Joyce was united in marriage to Kenneth Rothers in 1956. They celebrated 52 years together on November 4, 2008. To this union two children were born, Sherri Rothers, Corning and Steven Rothers, Seneca. Joyce was a very loving, compassionate and forgiving person. She was a devoted wife and loving mother, grandmother and sister. She loved her country home having resided there 48 years with her husband and daughter until her death. She was always busy, beautifying her home. She loved to cook, an excellent seamstress, enjoyed gardening, canning and quiet summer evenings talking with her family on their patio.

In her early married life she worked 15 years in various sewing factories at Onaga, Horton and Holton, later at CR. Industry in Seneca, She was an active member of the United Methodist Church, the U.M, Women's Society, long time board member on the Nemaha County Training Center at Seneca and volunteered at daffodil time, tirelessly wrapping and delivering: the flowers for the American Cancer Society for several years.

She leaves to mourn her passing, her husband, Kenny, of the home; her daughter Sherri of Corning and her son Steven of Seneca; four grandchildren, Andrea Rothers of Topeka; Amanda and husband Brad Poland of Seneca; Ashley and husband Marcus Butler of Seneca and Adam Rothers of Manhattan; 2 sisters, Sharon Steinlage Corning and Carolynn Johnson of Platte City, Mo.; several nephews and nieces.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents Byron and Mildred Nightingale.

Funeral services were Friday, November 28, 2008 at 10:30 Am at the United Methodist Church in Corning, Kansas. Janelle Glatczak accompanied Lynn and Connie Steinlage who sang On Eagles Wings, Amazing Grace and Precious Lord, Take My Hand. Burial was in the Corning Cemetery. The family received friends Thursday evening from 6:30-8:00 PM at the Popkess Mortuary in Seneca, KS.

Memorials are being left to the Nemaha County Training Center or the Corning United Methodist Church and may be sent in care of the funeral home.