Joyce Ann Farrell, 86, Gerald, passed away peacefully Saturday, Oct. 17, at Gasconade Manor in Owensville.
She was born Nov. 29, 1939, to the late Julius J. and Hilda (Bartel) Meyer in Gerald.
She was united in marriage to Ray Farrell Sept. 10, 1960, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Gerald.
Joyce began her career working at Hansen’s in Union, She loved that job! Word on the street is that job may have kept dad from a whole different path in life! Joyce then worked at Ehler’s Dairy Kreme with Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Ray and later worked in the office at Beaufort Transfer, also located in Gerald.
Joyce will be remembered for her love of family. Ray and Joyce’s welcome home letter from their honeymoon was from Uncle Sam, Ray was needed to serve his country. Joyce was the fun aunt! She loved playing and being with kids. Her nieces and nephew got to spend time with her when Ray was in the service in Germany. She liked the farm life she had grown up in. Grandpa Meyer always had animals. Shotwell Road was the happening spot. The neighbors on the stretch of Shotwell from Frank Manske’s past Steineker’s to the Ehlers’ was where Joyce called home. Lots of playing ball, wrangling animals, kid shenanigans, planting garden, fishing...it all happened there! Life brings good and bad, and it was no different on Shotwell Rd. Two car accidents brought major heartbreak, but also brought families and community together in a way that can never be explained. Those accidents were a huge part of life for this family, but it also taught you about living in spite of bad things that happen.
When Ray and Joyce’s kids came along, it was no different. Shotwell Road and Grandma Farrell’s was where we did a lot of our growing up! Ray taught us about “making a buck’ and mom taught us about being there to support your husband and family. She kept the house and everything around it spotless. There wasn’t a vehicle, tractor, driveway, weed eated fence row (around 20 acres of ground, inside and out), anything that wasn’t clean! Not just clean, spotless! That’s funnier now than when we were younger. Although, it does make for some good stories to tell. We grew up with a model mom and dad. How lucky we were.
When those grand babies and great-grandbabies started coming, Joyce was happiest with a baby on her hip. She and dad babysat for them all and cherished every single minute.
Joyce enjoyed serving her community, she LOVED her little town of Gerald and taught her kids to feel the same. Brad is 20 miles down the road, but he knows where his heart is. She was active in her church, St. Paul’s. She served on committees, packed goodie bags and decorated for holidays. She and Ray spent many years helping cook apple butter on Missouri Day at Gerald Elementary School. She was always there to help wherever and with whatever that included.
Lastly, she loved Ray! They worked (a lot), but that really was their favorite thing to do. Ray got her into some dandy jobs, but they were always together...just where they wanted to be.
Joyce was preceded in death by parents, Julius and Hilda; siblings, Bill Meyer and wife Bev, Ruthie Meyer, Doris LeClaire and husband Gerald (Smiley) and Bonnie Ehlers and husband Ray; parents-in-law, Virgil and Cora Farrell; sisters-in-law, Jane Hearst and husband Delmar and June Mesger; and brother-in-law, Roy Farrell.
Joyce is survived by husband, Ray of their home; children, Lauri Link and husband Mike of Gerald and Brad Farrell and wife Danielle of Union; grandchildren, Kory Hecht and wife Kate of Gerald, Ashley Obenauer and husband Jesse, Haley Farrell and Dylan Farrell and fiance’ Virginia Peffermann, all of Union; and great-grandchildren, Colton, Gemma and Joleigh Hecht, Sawyer Obenauer and Jaxton and Jasper Farrell.
Her body was cremated. Visitation will be held from 9 until 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 23, followed by a Memorial Service at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Gerald, with Pastor Rhonda Winters officiating. Interment of ashes will be in St. Paul’s Cemetery in Gerald.
Memorial contributions requested for family’s choice.
Arrangements entrusted to Gottenstroeter Funeral Home in Owensville.
