Joan Kay Moore

Joan K. Moore was born on April 3, 1936, to Kenneth and Adnelle (Enevoldsen) Hudson, passed away at the Central Nebraska Veteran’s Home in Kearney on March 27, 2026. She grew up in Farnam where her family owned the dairy and she helped her grandfather deliver milk early every morning. She graduated from Farnam High School where she was a cheerleader, excelled in music, particularly piano, and worked at the Drug store. She attended the Lincoln School of Commerce. On May 8, 1955, she married Cecil Morton in Farnam, Nebraska. They lived in Farnam a short time before moving to the Morton homestead south of Eustis, where they farmed and raised their three daughters.

Joan was a loving and devoted mother who was creative, talented, and deeply involved in her daughters’ lives. She taught them to sew and cook, helped with 4-H demonstrations, taught Sunday school, and was known as a wonderful cook and the “hired man” who could do just about anything. She worked outside the home as well, including at H & J Grocery, Louden’s, and Nebraska Plastics.

In 1978, Joan married Dennis Moore of Ansley, Nebraska, and with this marriage she was blessed to add four more children to her family. Joan owned and operated her own insurance agency in Ansley and later in Wahoo, Nebraska, where she loved serving others through her business. Joan and Denny faithfully attended the Catholic Church, rarely missed a sporting event, and traveled all over the state supporting their children and grandchildren, especially cheering on the Nebraska Cornhuskers. They owned and operated American Travel, hosting multiple group tours of Ireland, and treasured their winter months in Mesa, Arizona.

Joan loved her coffee shop mornings and afternoons, where she met friends daily. Her greatest love of all was hosting her ever-growing family in the home she and Denny designed and built in Wahoo. It was customary to have 50 people gathered for Christmas, living by their motto, “The Moore the merrier.”

Joan had an incredible memory and could recall stories and experiences from her childhood and extended family with remarkable detail. She never met a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anyone. She was also proud to have served her county as a supervisor.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis; daughter, Jody; son, Paul; great-granddaughter, Kit Moore; sister, Judy Johnson; and her parents.

She is survived by her daughters, Marilee ( Dave) Malcom of Cozad, Sharon (Bruce) Hueftle of Holdrege, Diana (James) Meiergerd of Fremont, sons, Tom ( Kathy) Moore, Glenville Az, James (Judy) Moore of Kearney ; sister Sandra (Jerry) Martin of Fairbury; grandchildren, Mitch (Stacy) Darbro, Adam (Sara) Darbro, Bronson (Melissa) Malcom, Brooke (Ross) Huxoll, Brennon (Kylee) Malcom, Natalie Nelsen-Pacey, Jenilea (Clay) Thomas, Dakotah (Annika) Hueftle, Kaleb (Melanie) Hueftle, Molly (Rob) Melcher, Grant Meiergerd, Katie Meiergerd, Kaelin (Lexie) Adams, Megan (Alec) Suarez, Matthew (Callie) Moore, Cameron (Anna) Moore; 29 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild, all of whom she loved dearly.

She will be remembered for her quick smile, her gift of hospitality, and her way of making sure no one ever left her home hungry. Her tea parties with the grandchildren, always having everyone’s favorite foods on hand, the Christmas tree that never came down in the basement, siding with the grandkids against Grandpa, Wahoo Bakery donuts, Grandma Moore orange juice, classy jackets with a lapel pin for every holiday, and never missing church will be remembered by all who loved her.

May we all hope to be a little more like Grandma Moore and Grandpa Denny — always enjoying the little things, never missing church, never missing a chance to sing or dance, never missing a good ballgame, taking time to read the paper every day, and always making time for a nap.

Joan’s life was centered on faith, family, and community, and her legacy will live on through the many people she loved. Online condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. A celebration of Joan’s life will be held Friday, May 15, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. at the Central Nebraska Veteran’s Home Chapel, 4510 E. 56 Street, Kearney. Burial will be held at 2:30 p.m. at the Mason City Cemetery, Mason City, Nebraska. Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad assisted the family with arrangements.