Joyce Lerene Hayes, 87, of North Platte formerly of Hershey, NE passed away Saturday, September 29, 2012, at Centennial Park Retirement Village in North Platte.

Joyce was born August 5, 1925, at Eldorado, NE to Grier Elwell and Viola Magdalene Gallentine Hunt. Joyce grew up in Eldorado and graduated from Ericson High School in 1943 then taught in rural schools. Joyce later worked as a waitress and cashier at a cafeteria while going to college in Lincoln, NE. She graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1951 with a BA Degree in Education then taught high school for two years. She later worked as a cashier in the office at O’Conner Five and Ten Store in North Platte.

On September 12, 1953, Joyce was married to Glen Walter ‘Red’ Hayes at Ten Sleep, WY by her father, Rev. Grier Hunt. Joyce and Glen lived in Hershey until Christmas 1954, when they moved into the home they built south of Hershey. They moved to Henderson, NE in 1997 then to Centennial Park Retirement Village in 2005.

Joyce was a long-time member of the Hershey United Methodist Church and attended the Hershey Baptist Church.

Survivors include her children, Glenda (Gary) Phipps, of Whitman, NE and Rex (Irene) Hayes, of Henderson, NE; three grandchildren, Heather (Erick) Johnson, of North Platte, Brett (Jordyn) Phipps, of Whitman and Wade Phipps, of Fort Laramie, WY; three great-grandchildren, MaKenna and Madisyn Johnson and Kaisley Phipps; her sister, Janice (Joe) Vermeer, of Palm Springs, CA; a brother, Wilfred ‘Bill’ (Vada) Hunt, of Omaha, NE; and other family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Glen; her parents, Grier and Viola Hunt; two sisters, Bernadine Hunt and Ruth Hernandez; and four brothers, Daryle, Lester, Donald and Eugene Hunt.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, October 4, 2012, at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore with Job Vigil officiating. Burial will follow in the Lamont Cemetery southwest of Hershey. Visitation will be 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday with family greeting friends from 3 to 5 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore. Condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to Lamont Cemetery. Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.