Joyce Pheasant

Joyce Pheasant devoted her life to her family, the ones she loved most. As a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, she showed her care each day through kindness, warmth, steady presence, and unwavering faith. Her name reflected the emotion she brought most to life: Joy.

Joyce first met Kenneth Pheasant at a church in Lincoln, Nebraska. They married there in 1954 and began a remarkable 65-year journey together, built on faith, steadfast love, and deep devotion. Their marriage was a true example of commitment and partnership.

Together, Joyce and Ken raised three beloved children: Lexie, Selessa, and Jeff. Joyce was a devoted mother and grandmother. First came Lexie, the beautifully sensitive older sister. Then Ken and Joyce moved to Detroit, where he began his career as a Ford designer. Soon after came Selessa, the creative middle child who took after her father, and finally Jeff, her sweet, hardworking youngest. Joyce's family was truly the center of her world.

Her deep faith in Jesus guided her and shaped how she loved and served others. Through quiet encouragement, a listening ear, or acts of service, Joyce showed Christ's love in her daily life.

A perfectionist and hard worker, she approached every task with care and excellence. She worked for Selessa and son-in-law Gary's company, but when her first grandchild was born, she left the business and provided daycare for their first child, Katrina. Joyce became the very best "Nonny," leaving a lasting imprint as a proud, hands-on grandmother. She never missed celebrating her grandkids accomplishments. She continued pouring her love into all her grandchildren, Dane, Jake, Lee, Rick, and Nova, treasuring every moment with them.

Joyce loved hosting family celebrations, serving delicious classics with extra butter and sugar. Her oatmeal cookies and cherry pie became family legends, and she always kept plenty of large oatmeal cookies on hand for Jeff's friends.

Joyce's life was a beautiful testimony of faith, devotion, and selfless love. She leaves behind countless cherished memories and a legacy that will live on through her beloved family. She will be deeply missed and always remembered.

Joyce was the beloved wife of 65 years to Kenneth Pheasant; loving mother of the late Lexie (Pheasant) Gallanis, Selessa (Pheasant) Holmberg, and Jeff Pheasant; proud grandmother of Katrina Holmberg, Dane Holmberg, Jake Pheasant, Lee Spees, and Richard (Rick) Spees; great-grandmother to Nova Pheasant; cherished sister of Judy (Winder) Volker; and cherished aunt to Sarah Applegate, Gene Boyden, and Marc Boyden. She is also lovingly remembered by her soon-to-be daughter-in-law, Blair Whittington, and her soon-to-be son-in-law, Jonathan Macenski.