Joyce Elsasser

RAPID CITY - Joyce Elsasser, 80, passed away on July 31, 2007, after a lingering battle with diabetes at Sioux San, IHS in Rapid City. Joyce Ada Elsasser was born to Hattie and Clarence Bishop in Winner, South Dakota on September 10, 1926. On August 10, 1946, Joyce was united in marriage to Raymond Carroll Elsasser at Winner, South Dakota. To this union twelve children were born, eight of whom survive. They lived in South Dakota, Nebraska and California before residing most of their married life in Spencer, Nebraska. Joyce owned and operated Joyce's Place in Spencer for many years. After moving to Rapid City in 1990, she was employed at the Sioux San Hospital in the X-ray Department. Before and after her retirement three years ago, she enjoyed cooking and baking and sharing with her friends and neighbors. She leaves to mourn her passing, seven daughters and one son; Mrs. Dave (Linda) Soukup of Leavenworth, Kansas, Mrs. Donn (Priscilla (Penny)) Marshall of Omaha, Nebraska, Cynthia (Chinchi) Henriksen of Rapid City, South, Dakota, Rochelle (Shelly) Chinn of Macon, Missouri, Wendy Elsasser of Spencer, Nebraska, Mrs. Don (Hollie) Sextro of Hartington, Nebraska, Marlys Elsasser of Rapid City, South Dakota and Maury Elsasser and wife Sally of S. Burwick, Maine, two sisters; Winifred (Wini) Ahlstrom of San Diego, California and Doris Sprenkle of Rapid City, South Dakota, twenty-three grandchildren and thirty-six great grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond, three sons, Monte, Marty and Michael "Mikki", one daughter, Michelle who died in infancy, one sister, Beulah DeCory, one brother Ervin (Bud) Bishop, and one grandson, Adam Schild. Memorial mass preceded by the rosary prayer will be at 10:30 a.m. today at St. Isaac Jogues Church with Rev. David Matzko, S. J. as the celebrant. Honorary pallbearers are grandsons, Dana Soukup, Darin Marshall, Charlie Henriksen, Daniel Elsasser, Raymond Horsley, and Lane Soukup. Memorial mass will also be celebrated on Saturday, August 4, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Spencer, Nebraska with the cremated remains to be buried in St. Mary's Cemetery in Spencer. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Regional Dialysis Center in Rapid City, South Dakota. The family would also like to thank Dr. Clark, Dr. Birch, and all the nursing staff at Sioux San, IHS and Regional Dialysis Center for their loving care. "Grieve for me, for I would grieve for you. Then brush away the sorrow and the tears, Life is not over, but begins anew. With courage you must greet the coming years. To live forever in the past is wrong, Can only cause you misery and pain, Dwell not on memories overlong. With others you must share and care again. Reach out and comfort those who comfort you. Recall the years but only for a while, Nurse not your loneliness but live again, Forget not - remember with a smile." Services are under the direction of the Osheim-Catron Funeral Home. Friends may sign her online guest book and leave condolence wishes through www.osheimcatron.com.