COPELAND - Edythe Joan Ward, 91, of Copeland, passed away on December 17, 2020 in Kearney, Nebraska. She was born to Thad and Edythe (Nichols) Tyler on May 1, 1929.

Joan spent her childhood in Copeland, attending school there. On December 7, 1949, Joan was united in marriage to Leonard Ward in Copeland. The newly married couple made their home in Copeland where they farmed and raised three children; daughters Gayle and Peggy and son Barry.

Joan is survived by daughters, Gayle (Ron) Pickel of Johnson Lake, Nebraska and Peggy Arvin of Las Vegas, Nevada, and son, Barry (Victoria) Ward, Winfield. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Holly Arvin of Las Vegas, Nevada, Cody (Shelley) Northrop of Fort Collins, Colorado, Amanda (Brendan) Muffoletto of Henderson, Nevada; BJ (girlfriend Dr. Liz Phillips) Ward of Kansas City Missouri, Ethan (Kaitlin) Lawson of Lincoln, Nebraska; Hunter Ward of Kansas City, Missouri, Levi Lawson of Kearney, Nebraska, and Sierra Ward of Terlingua, Texas; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by Leonard on August 14, 2005.

Funeral service will be held at the Copeland Christian Church at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, December 22, 2020. Visitation will be held on Monday, December 21, 2020 from noon to 8:00 PM at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Montezuma. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or Copeland Christian Church in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.