Joy Jaylene Hare passed away on Wednesday December 4, 2024, at the Sidney Regional Medical Center. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at the Potter Cemetery, Potter, NE with Pastor Corey Jenkins Officiating. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial gift in memory of Joy should send their donations to Congregate Meals, 627 Toledo Street, Sidney NE 69162 (care of Judy Schaefer), a community program for seniors that Joy and George participated in and supported.

You may view Joy’s Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at www.gehrigstittchapel.com. Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Joy’s care and funeral arrangements.

Joy was born on January 31, 1932, to Rena M. (Schuck) and Elmer H. Seyfang. She was preceded in death by her loving husband George and her two older sisters and brothers-in-law Bernice and Raymond Hunter and Shirley and Mal Minshall.

She was raised in the Potter community, a town that her family helped to found, building Seyfang Hall, the local dance and theater hall, and Seyfang Grocery. She attended Potter schools and was always involved in the family’s business. After her father purchased the Sidney Cab Company in 1950, Joy became the dispatcher and met George Hare, a part-time driver. They became engaged when George received his draft notice and enlisted in the Navy. At the end of George’s first leave, they were married at the United Methodist Church at Golden, Colorado on October 2, 1952. Joy returned to Sidney while George was deployed to the Philippine zone in the Korean War. George was so happy to be married to Joy that he married her a second time at the Lutheran Church in Potter

on December 26, 1954, inviting the parents this time around.

Joy and George lived in San Diego, California for the remainder of his service career. Their first child, Michael L. was born at the San Diego Naval Hospital in February and the young family returned to Sidney in June 1956. Their daughter, Denise Jeanette was born in January 1958.

Joy thrived on caring for others. Her abundant love touched numerous other families during the many years she cared for children in one-on-one daycare. Joy’s kindness and values have seeped into many lives.

Joy enjoyed many activities most of all playing cards and square dancing. Joy and George were co-founders of the local Prairie Schooners Square Dance Club in 1963 and made many lifelong friends in their travels over 40 years of dancing. Joy was also a member of Eastern Star for more than 60 years.

Joy is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Michael L. and Tanya J. Hare of Lincoln, Nebraska; her daughter and son-in- law Denise J. and Mark Johnson and their children Graeme and Samantha of Andover, Massachusetts; and many nieces and nephews.