Joyce Larae Wurm

Joyce Larae (Hodges) Wurm, of Fairbury, passed away January 23, 2025, at the age of 90 years. She was born January 21, 1935 to James Blaine And N. Florence (Brubaker, Fitzwater, Sullivan) Hodges in Fairbury. She spent her childhood growing up in ‘The Flats’. Joyce married Melvin George Wurm on January 8, 1953, and started married life east of Fairbury, on the PWF Road.  To this union 4 children were born: Randall Melvin, Kevin Lee, Michael Scott and Janelle Rosalie.  In 1964 the family moved to a farm northeast of Haddam, KS. She loved everything on the farm for being a ‘town girl’. She especially loved taking care of babies – 2 legged or 4 legged – she loved cooking for her family and went on to cook at truck stops – hospitals and nursing homes. She had a huge garden and loved to can all the produce and had a house full of houseplants and windchimes. She was a big Nebraska fan. Any of the sports, it didn’t matter. She was in a bowling league and was also a huge fan of the KC Royals.

She is preceded in death by her parents, 12 half brothers and sisters, husband Melvin, son Randall, grandson Jeremy, great-grandson Dwayne Moenning, brothers-in-law George Wurm, Lawrence Wurm, Marvin Wurm, sister-in-law Marion Wurm and many nieces and nephews.

She is survived by sons Kevin of Cuba, KS and Michael of Jennings, KS, Janelle and husband Bret of Alexandria, NE, 5 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law LouAnn Wurm, Norma Jean Wurm and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be February 21, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairbury with Pastor Glen Emery officiating. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.