Joyce Elaine Penner, 82, of Urbana passed away at 6:12 pm Monday, June 8 in her home at Florida House.

She was born on May 6, 1927 in Beatrice, NE to Roy and Elsie Vanderhook.

Joyce married Robert M Penner of Beatrice on August 2, 1950. She is survived by her three children, Mark Penner of Champaign, IL, Kimberly Compton of Glenview, IL, and Martha Montgomery of McKinney, TX. Joyce had 5 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.

Her siblings include one sister, Maxine Robertson, Fallon, NV; and two brothers, Roy Dean Vanderhook, San Diego, CA; and Richard Vanderhook, Tampa, FL.

Joyce graduated from high school in 1945; then took a secretarial position in the Pentagon. After several years, she returned to Beatrice to care for her mother, and worked for the Chamber of Commerce. She learned how to fly a Piper Cub and received her pilot's license.

After a period of caring for her children at home, she returned to the office, first working for the family insurance firm, then managing two separate apartment complexes in Lincoln and Omaha, NE. She worked for 3 years for ConAgra, and then 19 years for Cummins Great Plains in Omaha as an executive secretary.

Joyce, aka Detective Mouse, was always a creative individual who loved to make special cards for her family and friends, complete with her own verses and pictures. She enjoyed playing cards and golf with her friends.

Her life was celebrated on the occasion of her 82nd birthday with family and friends. No additional memorial service is planned. Burial will be in Pleasant View Cemetery near Pickrell, NE later this summer.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Florida House Association, 1502 E. Florida Ave., Urbana, IL 61802 or the Beatrice Education Foundation, Beatrice, NE.