Mrs. Joyce Elaine Ellis

Joyce Elaine Saltzgaber was born on June 19, 1942 to Doris and Glen Saltzgaber in Minden, Nebraska. During high school, Joyce began working for Northwestern Bell as a phone operator and after graduating high school in Minden, she married Clifton E. Ellis, of Minden, on December 10, 1960. She returned with Clifton to Fort Benning, Georgia for his final 9 months in the Army. Upon his discharge, Joyce and Clifton moved back to Minden and she returned to work at the phone company.

In 1965, Clifton accepted a data processing job in Omaha and the couple moved to Omaha in late November. Minden was changing over to dial phones at that time and Joyce could have transferred to Omaha Phone Company, but she decided to wait until after their child was born. Lisa arrived in March of 1966 and in March, 1967, Joyce began working for Sears, Roebuck & Co, where she was employed for 36 years. Joyce developed many good friendships during her years at Sears.

In 1968, Joyce followed Clifton's passion for antique cars and they joined the local antique car club where they made lifelong friends. Over the years, they toured locally with the club once a month and attended week long tours that included over a dozen states (some more than once) and seeing the important sites in each of those communities.

First United Methodist Church was a huge part of the family's life. She and Clifton found a home at FUMC in the early 1970’s and especially enjoyed the Gallalien Sunday School class. They became close friends with the other adults in the class, which had wonderful fellowship at church and in the community. Joyce enjoyed some awesome holiday parties in the 1970’s and 80’s with this crew. The couples’ children often joined for the social events and Lisa always said it was the best social life she ever had!

Joyce also loved spending time with all her family members. Family get-togethers in Minden were always fun. Although in her later years, Joyce couldn’t remember everyone’s names,but she enjoyed being a part of the action. She enjoyed concerts, plays, musicals and going out for meals with family and friends.

In the late 1970’s, Joyce completed an Associates Degree in Gerontology at UNO. She was a lifelong learner; continuing education and reading were among her hobbies. She also loved playing the organ, going to concerts, shows, musicals and going out for meals.

Joyce also spent countless hours and weekends over the years helping Lisa’s swim team, Omaha Westside Swim Club/Swim Omaha. She and Clifton often worked behind the scenes, helping with administration, running errands and selling clothing and gear at swim meets.

Although Joyce and Clifton never had grandchildren of their own, they were always happy to serve as “adopted grandparents” for the children of Lisa’s friends. They regularly attended concerts, plays and swim meets for these kids and even drove them to after-school activities to help out their parents.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Glen and Doris Saltzgaber, sister Charlotte (Saltzgaber) Korb, in-laws Orval and Martha Ellis, sister-in-law Donna (Wood) Ellis, brother-in-law Delbert Ellis, brother-in-law Raymond Meyer, and sister-in-law Bertha (Ellis) Meyer.

Joyce is survived by husband Clifton, of 62 years, daughter Lisa, brother-in-law Harold Korb, sister-in-law Milrae (Christensen) Korb, sister-in-law Carol (Dahlgren) Ellis, brother-in-law Dan Ellis, sister-in-law Bonnie Roark Ellis, many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews and many “adopted” grandkids.

Memories of Joyce will forever be blessings to those who knew her.

Memorials can be made to First United Methodist Church or Josie Harper Hospice House (1308 Maenner Drive Omaha, NE 68114).

A visitation will be held at First United Methodist Church on Friday, November 17th from 5-7pm. A celebration of life will be held at First United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 18th at 10:30 am.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.westlawnhillcrest.com for the Ellis family.