Joan L. Lilyhorn

Joan L. Lilyhorn, 82 years of age, of Bertrand, Nebraska passed away on Friday, March 13, 2020, at the Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney, Nebraska.

A Memorial Book Signing will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2020, from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska with CDC Guidelines to the recommendation of 10 people or less in the facility at one time .

Private family inurnment will be held at the Hope Lutheran Cemetery in Gosper County, Nebraska.

A memorial has been established in Joan's honor, and kindly suggested to the Hope Lutheran Church.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.

Joan Louise Lilyhorn was born October 22, 1937, in Holdrege, Nebraska, the youngest of three children to Walter Henry and Edith Helena (Hock) Bunsen. She received her primary education from District #23 in Gosper County, and then graduated from Bertrand High School with the class of 1955.

On December 2, 1955, she was united in marriage to Douglas Mac Lilyhorn at the Hope Lutheran Church and to this union five children were born: Michael, Cheryl, Daniel, Karen, and Tara. The family made their home on the farm north of Bertrand, where Doug and Joan engaged in farming. Joan received her CNA license, and was employed at Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege. She then pursued higher education at Central Community College in Kearney, where she received her LPN degree. Joan continued to work at PMHC until 1981, when she began working at the Bertrand Nursing Home until her retirement. She had a passion for always helping and caring for others.

Joan had a beautiful collection of angels and was very proud of her name meaning, "Gift of the Lord." Joan was an avid Bertrand Viking supporter, and could be seen supporting nearly all of the sports teams. She thoroughly loved attending all of her grandchildren's activities and enjoyed traveling. She also had a deep passion for music, teaching piano lessons in her younger adult years. Joan was a lifetime member of the Hope Lutheran Church, where she was baptized, confirmed, and remained faithful throughout her life. She was also a member of the ABC club; a Pinochle club; the Red Hatter's; and several coffee clubs, where she made many lifetime friends. On May 4, 2015, she was preceded in death by her husband, Doug.

Besides her husband and parents; Joan was preceded in death by four children: Daniel on February 23, 1959 in infancy; Michael on December 18, 1967 at age 11; Tara on March 10, 1970 in infancy; and Cheryl Junkin on July 28, 2015; her sister, Wilma Hanson and her husband, Eugene; sister-in-law, Christine Bunsen; and brothers-in-law: Harlan Lilyhorn, Jr.; Jack Lilyhorn and his wife, Hazel; and Jay Lilyhorn.

Joan leaves to celebrate her life; her daughter, Karen Lundy and her husband, Rick of Bertrand; son-in-law, Neil Junkin of Bertrand; seven grandchildren: Jennifer Weikel and her husband, Gary; Natalie Hagan and her husband, Shawn; Jessica Junkin; Alysia Kuck and her husband, Troy; Dekota Lundy; Riquella Lundy; and Jimmy Lundy and his wife, Heather; 17 great-grandchildren: Josh, Tyler, Jacob, Dajen, Micah, Kayten, Brandon Jr., Eli, Keelie, Akeil, Kenna, Kapone, Anika, Avary, Caleb, Alyeana, and Annabella; brother, Dale Bunsen and his special friend, Inez Petrie of Omaha, Nebraska; sisters-in-law: Mary Louise Lilyhorn of Holdrege and Joy Lilyhorn of Lincoln, Nebraska; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.