Nova Blancken

Nova “Joy” Blancken went to be with the Lord on Jan. 22, 2021 in Holyoke.

She was born in Fowler, Kan. on April 29, 1934. 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 passed away 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.

Joy’s greatest delights were her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her children Deb and Jim remembered all the sacrifices that she made for them so that 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.

Joy is survived by children Deb Michael and husband Brad and Jim McCoin and wife Lori; grandchildren Andrea Schlachter and husband Hazen, Aaron Michael and wife Elizabeth, Cori McCoin, Alan Michael and wife Kimberlee and Kellen McCoin; great-grandchildren Nicole, Ryan and Meredith Schlachter and Colton Michael. Joy also had two step-children Russ Blancken and Susan Santangelo.

She is 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.