Joyce was born August 25, 1944, to Norbert and Jean Pankau in St. Joseph, MO. The family moved to Tucson, AZ when Joyce was eight years old. There, she went to Sacred Heart, St. Joseph's Academy, and Flowing Wells High School, where she graduated. Joyce married and moved to Fernley, NV and had two daughters, Carolee & Oreana. In 1969 she moved to Fallon, NV and made it her home.
Joyce had several different and interesting jobs. While in high school she was a carhop, then after moving to Nevada she learned to write Keno at North Shore Lake Tahoe. Her last Keno position was at the Pinetop Casino in Arizona. In the meantime, she found her true calling. Joyce loved Aussie dogs and horses and began working for Gallagher Livestock for many years until it was sold. She was an avid barrel racer and won four saddles after the age of 60.
In 1984 Joyce went to work for New Frontier Treatment Center and at the age of 40 she went back to school and earned her associates degree and became a licensed substance abuse counselor. Joyce was instrumental in the creation of Step 2 Transition House for women in recovery in Reno, NV. She commented that Step 2 had been her favorite job in the substance abuse field.
Joyce married Doug Koepke on October 19, 1994, and continued to reside in Fallon, NV. They shared
many wonderful years and adventures together.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents and grandson, John H. Greenwood Jr. She had six grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. She leaves behind husband Doug Koepke, a sister, Barbara Allenza, daughters Carolee Mobry and Oreana Henry and stepdaughter Cynthia Koepke Kelly.
Joyce had a positive and profound effect on countless people and always tried to be fair and never unkind. She left behind a legacy of service to others and passed that down to her children and grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held at New Beginnings Community Church, 1191 E. Stillwater Avenue, Fallon, Nevada on Saturday, September 28 at 10:30 a.m.
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