"My late husband, Roger Allen Burke (1941-2016) grew up next to Mary Joyce and her family in Lincoln, Nebraska. After he passed in April last year, Mary Joyce wrote a very nice note of condolence to us and I answered it with a copy of his memorial tribute handed out at his gravesite service in Lincoln, Nebraska. I got to know the mother of Mary Joyce over the years when we returned to visit relatives in Lincoln and she would walk over to ask questions and talk awhile. The house where Roger grew up had belonged to the parents of Mary Joyce until they built their new brick home in their back yard around 1940 or so, and then Roger's parents bought the old house that faced F Street at the corner of Ninth in Lincoln. Roger and I were married nearly 52 years at his passing and while I did not personally know Mary Joyce, I knew her mother and father. I can just hear her and the Burke boys practicing their piano lessons in the 1940's as that was expected of the children in those days. No air conditioning and open windows --- imagine the "serenade". Watched a video of her leading the bell choir at your church and enjoyed it very much (am connected on Facebook to the church site). I know you will miss her terribly and will have some mild comfort with the memories of her generosity and kindness. May she rest now from her long labors of life. "
In loving memory of
Mary Joyce Schoening
April 7, 1936 - May 21, 2017
Mary Joyce Schoening, 81, of Glenwood, passed away peacefully with her family by her side at the Bethany Lutheran Home in Council Bluffs on Sunday afternoon, May 21, 2017.
Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at St. John Lutheran Church in Mineola with Pastor Luke Kuenzli officiating. Burial will be in the Mineola Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on, Tuesday, May 23rd, at the Loess Hills Funeral Home in Glenwood with a scripture service to begin at 7:00 p.m. The family will be present from
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Memorials:
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the St. John Music Department, Silver City Rescue and the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia-Lincoln Chapter.
Mary Joyce (Deer) Schoening was born April 7, 1936 to Frieda (Bauer) Deer and William C. Deer in Lincoln, NE. She was baptized on June 21, 1936 and confirmed on April 2, 1950 at Friedens Lutheran Church in Lincoln. Mary Joyce attended Lincoln High School and graduated in 1953. She enrolled at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education in December 1957.
In January of 1958 she began her teaching career as director of vocal music for the Glenwood Community School District. On December 27, 1959 she was married to Don H. Schoening at Friedens Lutheran Church. Mary Joyce and Don established their home in Glenwood. Mary Joyce continued teaching school full time in Glenwood until February 1961. She again taught full time for Lewis Central School District in the 1965-1966 school year. She continued to substitute teach for several years when the call arose.
Mary Joyce and Don moved to Sioux Falls, SD, and then to Chanhassen, MN with their family as Don was transferred for his job in the insurance industry. In March of 1970 they moved back to rural Mineola to join the family farming operation, and Mary Joyce became a hard working farm wife and mother.
Mary Joyce was invited to join the Extension Cords, a neighborhood volunteer service organization. Mary Joyce attended the Extension Cords 50th anniversary in the summer of 2015 with her family.
While her children were growing up Mary Joyce and Don volunteered as 4-H leaders locally and at the county level where they chaperoned the Teen Club to an exchange trip to Nelson County, VA and the 4-H leadership conference in Washington, D.C.
After her children moved away from home Mary Joyce went to work at Park Place in Glenwood in the administrative office from 1990 through 2002.
Mary Joyce was very active in St. John Lutheran Church. When the Schoenings returned to Mineola, she volunteered as the Junior Choir director. Mary Joyce assumed the role of Senior Choir Director in 1974 and continued until she handed the reins over in 2005. Around 2001 Mary Joyce helped establish the St. John Bell Choir with a memorial from the Melinda Gibbs family. She later directed the Bell Choir for several years until Christmas of 2016. Besides being involved in St. John's music department, the congregation could always count on Mary Joyce to bring food for all types of breakfasts, lunches, and suppers, church cleaning, and any other volunteer work that was needed. She spent many years making quilts with the women's quilting group at St. John.
Mary Joyce volunteered making maidrites for the Red Cross Blood drives in Glenwood. She also attended meetings and events of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia in Lincoln, NE.
Mary Joyce passed away peacefully with her family by her side on May 21, 2017 at Bethany Lutheran Home in Council Bluffs, IA, at the age of 81 years, 1 month, and 14 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; and sister Gloria Jacox.
Mary Joyce is survived by her husband of 57 years, Don, children Jeff, Beth and Clark; grandchildren Kaitie, Connor, Samantha, and Zackary; and great grandson Quintyn. Other survivors include numerous nieces, nephews, and an untold list of friends.
Tributes
"My thoughts and prayers are sent to your family. I was blessed to know Mary Joyce these past few years. I loved her joy for life, family, church and community. She will be missed. "
"Jeff and family, our deepest sympathies to you. Thinking of you, Tim, Kim and boys, Tracey and boys"
"Don and family, We send our sincere condolence on the passing of Mary Joyce. I send the thoughts and prayers of your classmates of 1954 at Glenwood High School. Gail and I are deeply saddened by this news. We recognize that both you and Mary Joyce fought a long battle as Mary Joyce dealt with her health issues. Gail and I remember our last dinner together at your house. And we remember the time that you and Mary Joyce visited us at Brookings South Dakota more than 54 years ago. We hope that your many happy memories of a life well lived will sustain you in the coming months. Ben and Gail Plummer"
"Don & family, One star in the night sky is shining for the one who will always be in your hearts and ours! God must have needed a new Director for His Choir of Heavenly Angels! We know He only calls the best! Our wonderful Mary Joyce.....loving and missing her. With love and deepest sympathy, Doug & Mary Beth Meyer and family Slidell, LA"
"Mary Joyce and her sister Gloria were good friends when we lived in Lincoln. Mary Joyce was a beautiful young girl with a personality to match. Our condolences to her family. --Del and Shirley Harding, Windsor, Colorado"
"I loved Mary Joyce. I loved, her sense of humor, warm heart, intelligent understanding. As HS music instructor? and church choir director, she had a pretty low key voice. Her classes were interesting therefore her ability to transfer her knowledge of music into her students. The world has lost a true spirit of beauty. With warmest regards to her family........Jeanie(Rohrberg) Thiem"
"Don and family our hearts break hearing of your loss. Mary Joyce will be greatly missed."
"I had no idea Mary Joyce was ill. I would of walked 100 miles to go see her. She was a good friend of mine. I loved her. We would sing old county school songs together at work and laugh. I'd call her ever so often but time had gotten away. Her passing hurts me so. Mary Joyce I will always remember you my dear friend and we'll sing together again some day., So sorry Don and children. Shelly Turner "
"I remember all the fun we had with Mary Joyce at our church singing at park place. The fun I had with her doing things for EIC at park place. She was a very neat lady"
"Dear Don and family, So sorry for your loss,I have so many fond memories of Mary Joyce that span over many ,many years!She was a very special friend! I will miss her and will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers..Veda Fint"
"Mary Joyce's commitment and dedication to those she loved, and interests she pursued is to be admired and respected. Will hold on to many fond memories of this powerful woman. Prayers to her family, she will be greatly missed. May she rest in peace."
"So sorry to hear of Mary Joyce's passing. She loved life and fought the good life. See you in heaven. Our thoughts and prayer go out to Don and the entire family. Delwyn and Barb Kruse"
"Mary Joyce was such a wonderful soul and she will be a very special memory in my heart. Vicki Melies"
"So sorry to hear this... I know how hard this can be, please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Mary Joyce was always had a smile, such a nice person! Jodi Parziale. "
"Mary Joyce (Miss Deer) was my Junior High Music Teacher in Glenwood. Remembering her with fondness and love. May her spirit soar with all the Heavenly Angels, and may our Lord grant her family and friends Peace."