Joyce Dawn Kearns

Joyce Dawn Kearns, age 70, of Gering, Nebraska, passed away at her home on Friday, February 20, 2026. A Celebration of Life will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Legacy of the Plains Museum in Gering. Cremation has taken place in accordance with her wishes. Memorials may be made in care of the WyoBraska Veterans and Military Family Emergency Relief Organization. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting Joyce’s obituary page viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com.

Joyce was born on March 31, 1955, in Middletown, Connecticut, to Ralph and Gladys (Giles) Witneck. She graduated from Upland High School in the class of 1973 and attended college soon after. Joyce answered the call for the U.S. Navy and was very proud of her military service.

Her life included several marriages, each one becoming a valued part of her story. Joyce gave birth to one son, Andrew, in 1985 and even when time and distance separated them, she always kept him close to her heart. While she was a "Jack of All Trades" she worked in all different kinds of industries throughout her life, including owning a window washing business and being an amazing cook!

Joyce was a free spirit who lived life unapologetically on her own terms, guided by her own compass and a heart that refused to follow the crowd. While she always had some kind of music on and loved a rockin' concert, she loved the long waits to be the first up at the stage the most. Never lost for words, she was forever making new friends and always had a good story to tell!

Survivors include the many friends all over the world that let her bend their ear for a while and those who always found a space for her at whatever event she found herself at.

She was preceded in death by her cat, JemKitty, who was her greatest life and travel companion; and numerous friends and family members, young and old, near and far.