Willa Joyce Achen Goff was born in Ord, NE on March 19, 1929 to Ernest Leroy Achen and Bessie Belle Thomas Achen. She passed away in Sun City West, AZ on April 11, 2021.
Joyce was valedictorian of the 1947 graduating class in Ord, NE and attended Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, NE graduating in 1951 with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught public school in Sidney, Ord and Alliance, NE. She operated and taught a pre-school, The Blue Puppy, in the basement of the Goff family home in Alliance after she retired from the public school system.
Joyce was married to Wayne Allen Goff on August 12, 1951 in Ord, NE. They lived in Lincoln, Hooper and Omaha, NE before moving to Alliance, NE in 1961. The Goff’s had two children: a son Allen Leslie born in Lincoln and a daughter Jane Eileen born in Alliance. They raised their family in Alliance and later relocated to Grand Island, NE in 1985.
Joyce was member of the United Methodist Church in Alliance and Trinity Methodist Church in Grand Island. She was the church librarian both in Alliance and Grand Island.
Joyce was a Professional Registered Parliamentarian. She led many parliamentary workshops and served as an officer in both local and state organizations.
Joyce was a member of P.E.O. Chapter GC, Alliance, NE; Chapter HJ Grand Island, NE and had been a member of Chapter CC, Sun City, AZ after the Goff’s relocated there in 2010. She was the Nebraska State President from 1987-88 and President of the International Chapter from 2003-05
Joyce was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was loved and will be missed.
Joyce is preceded in death by her husband on January 16th of this year, her parents, 2 brothers, 3 sisters, a nephew and a great-nephew. Surviving family includes her son Allen and his wife Shelley of Gretna, Nebraska and daughter Jane Nelsen and her husband Scott of Sun City, Arizona. She also is survived by 3 grandchildren; Ashley Goff of Kansas City, Missouri; Spencer Goff and his wife Micaela of Gretna, Nebraska and Jay Nelsen and his wife Jenny of Groton, Connecticut.
She is in the care of Sunland Memorial Park Mortuary and Cremation Center of Sun City. Due to Covid-19 restrictions a memorial service will be held at a later date. Condolences and memorials may be sent in care of Jane Nelsen at 9607 West Cedar Hill Circle, Sun City, AZ 85351 and given to The P.E.O. Foundation, 3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312 or to the donor’s choice.