Joy Winz

Memorial Services for Joy Winz will be held on Monday, January 26, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Reverend Jeff Adams and Chaplain DeWane Dow officiating. Private family inurnment will be held at a later date.


Joy (Kellner) Winz, 79 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2015 at the Christian Homes Care Community in Holdrege. Joy was born on January 2, 1936 on the family homestead in Furnas County, north of Oxford, Nebraska, the fourth child of Ernest W. and Verna G. (Hoffman) Kellner. Joy attended the Pleasant Hill Country School through eighth grade and then Oxford High School, graduating with the class of 1954. When Joy was young, she loved riding her horse, Chubby around the farm. She then attended summer school at Kearney State Teachers' College, earning her teaching certificate. Joy then taught for six years in Furnas, Seward, and Phelps counties.


On June 15, 1958, Joy was united in marriage to Ross Winz of Ragan, Nebraska. They made their home in Holdrege for their entire married life. To this union two sons were born: Mark William and Rex Leland.


Joy enjoyed baby-sitting for over 30 years. In her spare time she also enjoyed crocheting and creating many craft items. Joy was an avid baseball and football fan, as well as singing with her husband, Ross as they entertained at retirement homes. Joy and Ross also loved to travel, visiting family and friends. Her family was the "love of her life", especially her grandchildren.


She was confirmed in the Oxford United Methodist Church in 1948. In 1958, she transferred her membership to the First United Methodist Church of Holdrege, where she served on several committees, taught Sunday school, and was also active in UMW and the Naomi and Elizabeth circles. Joy and a friend were instrumental in organizing the Naomi circle, and she also enjoyed singing in the choirs in both Oxford and Holdrege churches, and played in the Holdrege Bell Choir for many years. In 1998, Joy was honored to receive her 50 year pin of membership of the church.


Besides her parents, Joy was preceded in death by her father-in-law and mother-in-law: William and Cora Winz; her sister, Gwen Waples and her husband, Don; two brothers: Verle Ernest and Richard E. Kellner, and brothers-in-law: Calvin Winz, Billie Winz, Jr., and Mike Winz and his wife, Mary, and Ralph Minnick; and sister-in-law, Ruth Eldhardt and her husband, Leo.


Joy leaves to mourn her passing her husband of 56 years, Ross Winz of Holdrege; two sons: Mark Winz and his wife, Anne Marie of Orlando, Florida, and Rex Winz and his wife, Val of Arkansas City, Kansas; two grandchildren: Michael William and Bethany Marie Winz of Orlando; brother-in-law, Ray Winz and his wife, Nadine of Holdrege; sisters-in-law: Betty Kellner of Azusa, California, Evelyn Minnick of Franklin, Nebraska, Erma Winz of Kennewick, Washington, and Dawn Winz of Springfield, Oregon; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.


Memorial book signing will be held on Sunday, January 25, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.


A memorial has been established in Joy's honor and kindly suggested to the First United Methodist Church of Holdrege.


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.