Joy Blancken
Nova “Joy” Blancken was born in Fowler, Kansas, on April 29, 1934, and died and went to be with the Lord on Jan. 22, 2021, in Holyoke.
Joy started school in Kansas, and during her elementary years they moved to a wheat farm in Stratton. She graduated from Stratton High School and then attended Colorado Women’s College and earned her degree in secretarial science. She worked at the First National Bank of Colorado Springs and soon after relocated with her two children to Stratton.
Joy worked at the First National Bank of Stratton for 37 years. During that time, she met Richard Blancken, and they were married on Feb. 28, 1981. They lived happily in Flagler together for 19 years until Richard’s death in 2000. Joy continued to live on the farm until March 2015 when her health started to fail and she was moved to Regent Park nursing home in Holyoke. She resided at Regent Park until her passing.
Grandma Joy’s greatest delights were her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Deb and Jim remember all the sacrifices that she made for them so they could have that pretty prom dress or awesome basketball shoes. The grandchildren will never forget all the times she went to watch them play sports or went to their house, bringing that special gift that they wanted or needed. Her great-grandchildren called her “Grandma who spends the night” because she loved to stay and play with them. Everyone has that special blanket that she crocheted for them, and her love of singing is in every member of her family.
Her love for the Lord kept her happy throughout her entire life. She never missed church or her Bible studies. What a celebration it must have been when she got to heaven!
Joy is survived by her children, Deb and Brad Michael and Jim and Lori McCoin; grandchildren, Andrea and Hazen Schlachter, Aaron and Elizabeth Michael, Cori McCoin, Alan and Kimberlee Michael, and Kellen McCoin; great-grandchildren, Nicole, Ryan and Meredith Schlachter and Colton Michael; and two stepchildren, Russ Blancken and Susan Santangelo.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Gordon and Mabel Hatfield; siblings, Geneva Hill, Howard Hatfield, Harry Hatfield, Fontella Singley, Melvin Hatfield, Marvin Hatfield and Leslie Hatfield; and her beloved husband, Richard Blancken.
A graveside service was held Jan. 30 at Flagler Cemetery.
Love Funeral Home in Limon was entrusted with the arrangements.