Joyce Peck

Memorial services and a celebration of the life of Joyce Mae Peck will take place 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at Highland Park Church with Pastor Merrill Smith officiating. Cremation has taken place. She died Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at the age of 72. Joyce was born August 9, 1940 to Carl and Stella Anderson in Minden, Nebraska. The family moved to Buffalo, Wyoming when she was an infant. She lived there until the death of her mother at the age of 7. The family moved back to Minden where she attended school and graduated from Minden High School in 1958. She then attended Kearney State Teachers College where she received her two year teaching degree. While in college she met and later married Bill Peck on January 23, 1960. In the summer of 1960 they moved to Red Cloud, Nebraska where their two sons, Tony and Troy, were born. She was a stay at home mom.

1964 found them back in Kearney where Bill got his Masters Degree. Having preschool children at home, Joyce became a popular baby sitter for other college students. In 1986 they moved to Ogallala, Nebraska were Joyce was self employed as owner, director, and teacher of the Peppermint Palace Preschool. During this time she received an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Education at McCook Community College in McCook, Nebraska.

They moved to Casper, Wyoming in 1986 where she was a preschool teacher at Our Saviors Preschool until 1990 when the Family Resource Center was founded at Casper College. Joyce then became a preschool teacher at the college where she taught children and supervised early childhood students. She loved preschool age children as is noted by her 30 years in the profession. She retired in 2000.

Joyce belonged to various early childhood associations in Nebraska and Wyoming. She was initiated into P.E.O. Chapter CL in 1976 in Ogallala. When she relocated to Casper she transferred to Chapter AT where she was an active member until her death. She was a member of Highland Park Church. Having a personal relationship with God and her faith was a vital part of her life. She volunteered at the church and in the community.

One of her greatest joys was watching her children and grandchildren compete in athletics. With enthusiasm she cheered them as well as college and professional teams, especially the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Joyce loved to read, garden and be outdoors. The Big Horn Mountains was one of her favorite spots where many wonderful memories of camping and fishing with her family and extended family were made. Joyce was an avid walker and often could be seen walking in and around Sunrise Shopping Center.

Joyce is survived by her husband of 52 years, Bill; two sons, Tony and his wife , Connie of Casper, Troy and his wife Candi of Casper; 6 grandchildren, Kristin Harns, Kylie Richendifer, Justin Peck, Cory Peck, Sara Garland, Haley Brown; Great grandchildren Payton Harns, Ava Brown, Ellis Brown, Colter Garland, Claire Garland and Clayton Richendifer. She is survived by her sister-in-law Doris Anderson of Buffalo and brother-in-law Len France of Gothenburg, Nebraska and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her grandchild Kayla Peck, her sisters Jan Murray and Carol Ewing and brother Gordon Anderson.
Donations may be made to American Cancer society 333 S Beech St, Casper, WY 82601 in lieu of flowers.