Joyce Davenport

Joyce Elaine (Ehlers) Davenport, daughter of Gilbert W. Ehlers and Clara (Wulf) Ehlers, was born September 3, 1937 in Hebron, Nebraska, and departed this life Friday, April 1, 2011 at her home in Belleville, Kansas at the age of 73 years, 6 months, and 29 days. Joyce was baptized September 19, 1937 at Peace Lutheran Church in Deshler, Nebraska, by Rev. Fred Schwerin. She was confirmed on June 3, 1951 by Rev. R.H. Riensche. Joyce attended rural schools (Districts #100 and #67) in and near Stoddard, Nebraska. She was graduated from Chester High School, Chester, Nebraska in May of 1954. On May 1, 1955, Joyce was united in marriage with the love of her life, Allen E. Davenport at Peace Lutheran Church by Rev. Riensche. This union was blessed with two sons, Dennis Allen and Douglas Allen. She lived with her parents on a farm near Stoddard, Nebraska until her marriage in 1955. She and her husband and their two sons lived in Chester, Nebraska from 1955 until the spring of 1961 when they moved to Belleville, Kansas where she has resided since that time. Joyce was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Her greatest joy was being a homemaker and caring for her family. Her hobbies included cooking, gardening (flowers), reading, and traveling. Joyce was employed by the Republic County Conservation District as manager from June 3, 1968 until her retirement October 1, 2002, a career spanning fore than 34 years. She was a member of the American Lutheran Church in Belleville. She was preceded in death by her parents; beloved husband Allen (Pistol) Davenport in 1997 and her son Dennis in 2003. Those remaining to cherish her memory are her son Douglas Allen Davenport and wife Ruth of Fridley, Minnesota; daughter-in-law Dina Davenport, Alamogordo, New Mexico; grandchildren, Darrin (Denise) Davenport and Darbie (Ronnie) Avalos, Jeremy (Amy) Cheney, James (Amy) Cheney, Justin (Ryah) Cheney, and Jacob (Sarah) Cheney; 12 great grandchildren, Hannah, Lillian, Cody, Natalie, Kylie, Aydiah, Maya, Maggie, Brayden, Gracie, Dalton, and Danika; her brother Warren Ehlers and wife Mary of Hebron, Nebraska; special niece Lara (Scott) Harms; great nephews and niece Broderick, Brennan, and Ashley; other relatives and friends. Private family funeral services will be held Wednesday at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, Belleville, Kansas with Minister Randy Paugh sharing and singing "Amazing Grace" and "One Day At A Time." Casket bearers were her grandchildren Darrin Davenport, Darbie Avalos, Jeremy, James, Justin, and Jacob Cheney, and nephew Scott Harms. Memorials may be made to the American Lutheran Church or Feed the Children in care of the funeral home. Information at www.tibbettsfischerfuneralhome.com.