Joyce A. Wilder

A Funeral Service for Joyce Wilder will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Rev. Kenton Birtell officiating. Interment will follow at the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege.

Joyce's Funeral Service will be live-streamed via the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church's Facebook page.

Joyce Ann (Amen) Wilder, 80 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Monday, May 18, 2026, following a brief battle with cancer and years of enduring Multiple Sclerosis at Holdrege Memorial Homes. Joyce was born on June 24, 1945, in Kearney, Nebraska, the sixth of 12 children, born to Melvin and Elvera (Titkemeier) Amen. Joyce received her education from Elm Creek Public Schools and graduated in 1963.

On November 7, 1963, Joyce was united in marriage to Jack Wilder in Wichita, Kansas. The couple made their home in Kearney, Nebraska, before settling in Holdrege. God blessed this union with three children: Todd, Kim, and Brian. Jack and Joyce shared 57 years of marriage.

Joyce was a member of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Holdrege. She spent many years on bowling leagues and enjoyed countless weekends at the racetrack supporting Jack and Todd as they raced. She also cherished time camping at the lake while her children were growing up, creating memories that lasted a lifetime. She worked as a cook at R-7 School for many years, where she enjoyed preparing good meals for the students and taking time to get to know them. Many will remember her as a wonderful cook who cared deeply for the kids she served each day. In later years, she loved hearing about her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and watching them grow.

Joyce never complained, even through the many challenges she faced with MS and cancer. She endured so much with quiet strength, grace, and determination, rarely letting others see how hard things truly were. She was a strong woman with a touch of stubbornness at times, which only added to her spirit and resilience. Though small in stature, she was a tiny but mighty force, full of strength and a presence that will leave a lasting mark on everyone who knew her. Joyce loved the companionship of her dogs.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Jack in 2021; brothers: Rolland (Carol) Amen; Alan Amen; and Burdette (Carol) Amen; one sister and one brother in infancy; brothers-in-law: Bob Edwards; John Novotny; Jim (Betty) Wilder; Edwin (Helen) Wilder; and Don Allen; sisters-in-law: Bev Streeter; a niece, Amy Amen; and a grandson-in-law, Dylan Skeen.

She leaves to celebrate her life three children: Todd Wilder and his wife, Mona of Holdrege; Kim Waller and her husband, Mark of Lincoln, Nebraska; and Brian Wilder and his wife, Sarah of Bertrand, Nebraska; seven grandchildren: Kara (Wilder) Parsons and her husband, Clayton of Holdrege; Aaron Wilder and his wife, Nicole of Holdrege; Kaitlyn (Waller) Oliveros and her husband, Rico of Lincoln; Mallory (Waller) Hoffman and her husband, Zach of Omaha, Nebraska; Makenzie Waller of Lincoln; Trevor Wilder and his wife, Tabitha of Omaha; and Krystin (Wilder) Skeen and significant other, Jonah Blank of Holdrege; ten great-grandchildren: Kiera and Emery Parsons; Preston Jack (PJ) and Halle Hoffman; Louis (Lou) Oliveros; Amelia, Callen, and Adley Wilder; and Wesley Skeen and Katara Blank; brothers: LaRoyce Amen and his wife, Donna of Holdrege; Terry Amen and his wife, Geri of Oxford; and Don Amen and his wife, Linda of Roca, Nebraska; sisters: Marilyn Novotny of Holdrege; Cheryl Edwards of Holdrege; and Lori Ott and her husband, John of Lincoln; brother-in-law, Don Wilder and his wife, Jo of Kearney; sisters-in-law, Darlene Allen of Overton, Nebraska; and Betty Amen of Onawa, Iowa; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family, and a host of friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with the family greeting from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Holdrege.

Memorials in Joyce's memory are kindly suggested to the family for later designation.

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.