Joyce G. Gaden, 79, of Grand Island died Friday, Jan. 5, 2018, in Omaha after a short illness.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Grand Island. The Rev. Marty Egging will officiate. Burial will be in the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. There will be a family gathering at the church one hour before the service, with the family receiving friends from 9 to 10 a.m. A luncheon will be held at the church after the graveside service.
Apfel Funeral Home is caring for the family.

Joyce Gaden was born on Aug. 26, 1938, to Peter and Ruby (Lloyd) Gruber in Coon Rapids, Iowa. Mrs. Gaden grew up in Coon Rapids, Iowa and Harvard, graduating from Harvard High School in 1956. She was united in marriage to William Gaden on Nov. 22, 1956, in Harvard. The couple lived in Hastings until they moved to Grand Island in 1961. She worked for more than 42 years at the Nebraska Veterans Home, along with several other jobs throughout her life. She spent her life serving people, especially military veterans and the elderly.
She was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church, and was also active at the Grand Generation Center. She also enjoyed watching her kids and grandkids play sports, watching the Cubs, Royals and the Huskers, spending time with family, and also enjoyed working in her yard.
Survivors of the immediate family include her five sons and daughters-in-law, David Gaden of Lincoln, Thomas and Tammy (Pavel) Gaden of Omaha, Kevin and Jodi (Rathman) Gaden of Chatham, Ill., Gregory Gaden of Rapid City, S.D., and Brian Gaden and Amanda Bartek of Lincoln; and daughter and son-in-law, Patricia (Terry) Schwieger of Omaha.

Survivors also include eight grandchildren, Sara Ann Schwieger of Phoenix, Ariz., and Taylar (Drew) Witthaus of Omaha, Kayla, Clark and Kali Gaden of Chatham, Ill., Grant and Will Gaden of Omaha, and Jemma Bartek of Lincoln. She also had one great-grandchild, Olivia Gaden of Chatham, Ill.
She was preceded in death by an infant son, Michael; her husband, William; and her parents.
Memorials may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Make-A- Wish Foundation.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.apfelfuneralhome.com.