Joyce Copenhaver

Joyce Copenhaver, 86 of Treynor, IA, formerly a longtime resident of Oakland, IA, passed away Friday, May 23, 2025 at the Josie Harper House in Omaha, NE.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 29, 2025 at the Loess Hills Funeral Home in Carson, IA. Burial will be in the Oaklawn Cemetery in Oakland.

Loess Hills Funeral Home in Carson is caring for Joyce and her family.

Memorials: Per the family's request, in lieu of flowers, memorials are directed to Eckels Memorial Library or Nishna Heritage Museum in Oakland,IA.

Joyce Marilyn Fain, one of two children of Calvin Joel and Dora Eva (Turner) Fain, was born on June 3, 1938, in Fairbury, NE. She graduated from Oakland High School with the Class of 1956.

On March 28, 1959, Joyce married Carrol Copenhaver at the Oakland Christian Church. They shared a deep and loving marriage until Carrol’s passing in 1992. Though widowed for many years, Joyce carried his memory with grace and strength, continuing to build a life grounded in family and community. Together, they were blessed with three children: Carlin, Karen, and Rob.

Joyce was an active member of her community, serving on the library board at Eckels Memorial Library and volunteering at the Nishna Heritage Museum. She thoroughly enjoyed her time driving the school bus for Oakland Schools. She worked for many years at First National Bank/TSYS, retiring at the age of 80. She especially enjoyed carpooling daily to Omaha with her daughter Karen during those working years—a routine that brought her joy and connection.

She loved visiting Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha and looked forward to attending their Antique Show each year. Joyce also found great peace in her own garden and loved working with her hands.

She especially cherished time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren—four generations connected through her steady love and presence. “GG” never missed a birthday, school event, or Sunday dinner, and she lit up around the little ones. Holding each new great-grandchild brought her immense joy, a reminder of the beautiful legacy she and Carrol had begun.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Carrol.

She is survived by her brother, Ken Fain, and his wife Georgia of Overland Park, KS; her children: Carlin Copenhaver and his wife Diane of Treynor; Karen Way and her husband Byron of Treynor; and Rob Copenhaver and his wife Steph of Council Bluffs. Joyce also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren: Ashley and her husband Tom Allisma and their daughters Rosemary and Willa; Skylar Harris and her husband Nick; Sara Larkin and her husband Adam and their children Adaline and Ajax; and Lora Billesbach. She is also remembered by many other relatives and a host of dear friends.

Joyce’s legacy is one of devotion—to family, to community, and to a life well-lived. She leaves behind a family bound together by her love, and a lifetime of memories that will be treasured always.