Joyce Burnside Schaeffer

Joyce Elaine Schaeffer, 90, passed away October 15, 2023 at her home in Lincoln, NE. Joyce was born April 24, 1933 to Floyd and Mabel Dickerson Fowler in McPherson County Nebraska.

She was their youngest of eleven children and grew up in the sandhills north of Ringgold and in Gandy. On November 26, 1949 she married Cecil Burnside at the Presbyterian Church in Stapleton. They made their home in North Platte before returning to his family farm SW of Stapleton in 1976 where they lived until Cecil's death in 2001 and Joyce's subsequent move into Stapleton. Joyce and Cecil had two daughters, Patricia (Trisha) and Connie.  One of Joyce's loves in life was teaching Sunday School for many, many years; while in North Platte at the Bethel Evangelical Free Church and while in Stapleton at the First Presbyterian Church. She also loved to cook and garden. Joyce was a member of the Banner Mothers Extension Club in Stapleton and had formed many lasting friendships through this club.  In 2004 Joyce married George Schaeffer, of Stapleton, and they were together until George's death in 2019. In 2021 Joyce moved to Lincoln where she lived close to her daughters.

Survivors include her two daughters, Trisha (Dave) Lewis of Lincoln, and Connie (Daryl) Luers of Wahoo; four grandchildren, Jon Lewis of Lincoln, Julie (Josh) Schlote of Norfolk, Katie (Dan) Frieden Buffalo Gap, SD, and Kelsy (Tyler) Hays of Lincoln; five great-grandchildren, Jace Eddy, Jaden Eddy, Luke Frieden, Robin Frieden, Jesse Frieden, and Harley Mae Hays; many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by George's children and extended family.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Cecil Burnside and George Schaeffer, five brothers and wives; Wesley (Alma), Herbert (Ora), Ervin (Merna), Mildford (Lucille), and Norman (Grace); five sisters and husbands; Shirley (James) Dobbins, Golda (Gerald) Franklin, Thelma (Vernon) Johnson, Freida (Guy) Simpson and Lyla (Don) Blevins.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Cornerstone Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Stapleton or the Village of Stapleton Splash Pad Project.

Visitation will be Monday, Oct. 23, noon to 7:00 PM (5:00-7:00 family visitation) and Tuesday, Oct. 24, 8:30-10:00 at the Adams and Swanson Funeral Home. The memorial service will be Tuesday at 1:00 at the Cornerstone Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Stapleton.

Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.