Joy Nadine was born the third child from the marriage of Alden “Ted” Harper and Iva (Elam) Harper on a farm about seven miles north of Holly, Colorado.

She attended 11 years of school in Holly later taking a correspondence course for her high school diploma. She also took several courses from Lamar College.

She was married to Stanley Lepel and had three children. She was also blessed with four grandchildren; Brian, Katie, Darrett and Alex.

Joy worked several years as a dispatcher for the Baca County Sheriff’s Office and at the Springfield Abstract Office. Joy ran the museum until she retired.

She is preceded in death by her father and mother; her sons, Stanley Dean Lepel and Bill Lepel; and grandson, Darrett Lepel.