Joyce Loraine Hardnock

Joyce Loraine (Clayton) Hardnock, 92, was welcomed into heaven on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. She passed away peacefully with her daughter by her side at Linden Court in North Platte.

Joyce was born on May 11, 1933, to George H. and Loraine (Rector) Clayton in North Platte, where she spent her childhood and young teen life. After a brief move to Beatrice, Joyce graduated from Kearney High School in 1951.

Joyce briefly attended Baylor University in Waco, TX, before meeting Robert (Bob) Hardnock in Grand Island, NE, in May, 1953 at the local skating rink. He knew right away she was the one, and it did not take long for their story to begin. Bob and Joyce were married on November 29, 1953, in Grand Island. They spent their early married years there until moving to the Quad Cities area in Illinois for Bob’s job with the railroad. In 1966, they returned to Grand Island before relocating to North Platte in 1973 when Bob was transferred by Union Pacific Railroad.

Joyce was an active member of Westfield Foursquare Church in North Platte and bowled on several leagues during those years. She never missed an Aglow meeting and was always helping in the women’s ministry at the church. After Bob’s retirement, they moved to Gothenburg, NE. With Bob’s declining health, however, the decision was made to move closer to family, so in 2003 they relocated to Grove, OK, where their twin daughters and their families lived.

Following Bob’s passing, Joyce spent time Neosho, MO, and Omaha, NE, before moving back to North Platte in May 2022 to spend her remaining years close to her daughter, Kathy. Though her health declined in later years, she continued to be known for her kindness, joyful spirit, and positive influence on those around her.

Joyce’s Christian faith was very important to her, especially during her trip to Isreal with Bob. She sang in church choirs for many years, and gospel music was often played in her home. Joyce remained a strong Christian influence to her children and grandchildren throughout her life.

Joyce was a loving, considerate and helpful woman to her many friends and family. Always cheerful, she spread joy and laughter wherever she went. She never turned down a friend, neighbor, or family member when they needed help. Her legacy is one of a Godly, praying and loving daughter, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Joyce is preceded in death by her parents, George and Loraine Clayton; her husband, Bob Hardnock; her daughter, Sandy Fisher; her son-in-law, James Thornton; her granddaughters, Stacy Gonzalez and Rylee Thornton; two great-grandsons, Ian Stevens and Steven Schoel; and her brother, Richard Clayton.

Surviving Joyce are her three daughters, Sharon (Paul) Ruckman, Karen (Wesley) Schoel, all of Jacksonville, FL, and Kathy Thornton of North Platte; son-in-law, Stan Fisher; grandchildren, Kristine (Dale) DeWitt, Brian (Sarah) Forst, Karee (John) Kopet, Jonathan (Stephanie) Schoel, Jamie (Rob) Boll, Kendra Eggleton, Nathan Fisher, Amber Thornton and Ashley Bush; 24 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great grandchildren.

A celebration of Joyce’s life will be held at The Rock Church, 2001 West A Street, North Platte, on Monday, September 15, at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, NE.

Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Equip Them Ministries. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.