LINCOLN, KS – Joyce Elaine (Dinsmoor) Cooper passed away May 27, 2021 at Lincoln Park Manor, Lincoln, Kansas.  A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 26th in Lucas Cemetery. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Lucas United Methodist Church with a luncheon to follow.

Joyce was born on February 17, 1929 in Lucas, Kansas the daughter of Lloyd and Viva Dinsmoor. Joyce was a Lucas gal who graduated from Salina High School in 1947. Her family came to the United States from England and were flour millers. While in high school, she worked as a clerk in a drug, grocery and variety store outlets.

She married Samuel E. Cooper Jr in 1947. The young couple moved to a farm and raised wheat and cattle with Samuel’s brother, Wayne Cooper until 1950. Joyce was a homemaker during Samuel’s tenure as a plumber for eight years in Lucas. They moved to Plainville, Kansas in 1958 and worked at Mosher hardware store for eight months before returning to Lucas. In 1958 she and Samuel opened and operated the Cooper’s IGA grocery store until 1968. Moving back to Plainville, Joyce was employed at the Plainville Rural hospital while Samuel went back to work at Masher’s Hardware. In 1972 they opened the Sear’s Authorized Catalog Sales store and operated it for over 20 years until retirement.

Joyce was involved in the Swinging Wheels Square Dance Club. She enjoyed her socialization and interacting with those involved in the club. She was also involved with Lucas Methodist church family in Lucas, Kansas who also provided her support in her later years in Lucas. After she retired she enjoyed cooking and especially became a family favorite with her apple pies. During the holidays it wasn’t unusual for Joyce to show up with a cooler full of desserts and at least five pies. She loved watching a college basketball game on television as well as football, always providing her opinion during the game. She also enjoyed following her grandkids while participating in sporting events. She loved her grandkids, great-grandkids and even two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel E. Cooper Jr.; her parents, Lloyd and Viva Dinsmoor; her brother, Donald and wife Nyla Dinsmoor; and sister, Francis Lay and husband Lynn Lay.

Survivors include Janet (Cooper) Johnson and Rick of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Samuel L. Cooper of Plainville, Kansas; Cindy (Cooper) Seirer and Steve of Halstead, Kansas. Her eight grandchildren, Stephennie Schmidt and Durango, Scott Seirer and Jackie, Sonja Kaiser and Dale, Shawna Will and Jeremy; Deborah Carrano and Anthony, Janelle Williams and Nathan, Cassie Grover Wichita, Kansas; Samantha Geist and Chad; 22 great-children and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Her nephews and nieces include, Tom Dick of Salina, Kansas, Sue and Gary Base of Solomon, Kansas, Jo and Mike Twidwell Shell Knob, Missouri, Debbie and Rhett Hatfield Tucson, Arizona, Spence and Pat Cooper Layton, Utah, Charles and Sandy Cooper Mesa, Arizona.

Memorials in lieu of flowers are suggested to the Lucas United Methodist Church 322 N Main in Lucas, Kansas 67648.