Joyce E. Smith

Joyce E. Smith

Joyce E. Smith, 91, of Fayette, died Monday, April 1, 2013, at Maple Crest Manor in Fayette.

Funeral Mass will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 5, 2013, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Fayette with Rev. James Brokman officiating. Interment will follow at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Fayette. Friends may call from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, April 4, 2013, at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Fayette where there will be a 4:00 p.m. Rosary on Thursday. Friends may also call for one hour prior to Mass at the church on Friday.

Joyce Elizabeth Smith was born in Dubuque County, Iowa on May 20, 1921, to George C. and Vera Scott Stichler. At age ten she moved to West Union, Iowa, went to school and graduated in 1938. One year of Nurses College and two years of work followed. Marriage to Donald A Smith in May of 1941 was blessed with four children, Michael, Joseph, Julia, and Charlene. From 1947 until her death, she resided in Fayette. Joyce loved living in Fayette and the close proximity to friends and church. She loved the outdoors, her home, and spending time with her family. She served a term on the Fayette City Council and was a charter member of Big Rock Country Club. She received the “Friend of Education” award in 1980, “Award of Merit” from the Fayette School 1958-1984, “Walker of the Year” award in 1989, and the Citizens Award (Fayette) in 1988. She served on the Care Review Committee at Maple Crest for seven years, was a hospice volunteer for six years where she was awarded volunteer of the year in 1997, served on the Palmer Memorial Foundation Board, and was an active member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Fayette for many years.

Joyce is survived by her children, Michael (Sue) Smith of Des Moines, Joseph (Pat) Smith of Dunkerton, Julia (Jerry) Geurink of Whitehall, Wisconsin, and Charlene (Ray) Murray of Toledo, Iowa; ten grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, who died in 1977; a grandson, Kelly Murray; and a sister, Jannet Francis.

Kym Stein on April 14, 2013 at 12:45 AM said:

Char, I know how much your mother meant to you. I am so sorry to hear about her passing. I know she is in a better place. Maybe she can see and spend some time with Denise. I hope you are doing well, please call if you need anything.

Kathy & Denny Lenth on April 4, 2013 at 3:28 PM said:

Joe, Char & Family: We remember Joyce as a wonderful & friendly lady and a great "Cake" baker. I also remember when she & your Dad would come to the card parties in Randalia. What a great family you have! We will cherish all those great times. My father (preparing to go on the next Honor flight)talks with such fondness of all of you. May God Bless You Always!

Jim & Janet Timmerman on April 4, 2013 at 11:32 AM said:

Our heartfelt sympathy to Joe,Pat and the entire Smith family.
We have fond memories of Joyce over the years. Her independence, her love to entertain, and her giving spirit will always be remembered. I enjoyed the many visits Pat and I had with her the last two years while she lived in assisted living. She always made me feel loved and welcomed. She will be missed! She is now at peace with no more pain. Our thoughts are with all of you.

Cheryl Grady Harris on April 3, 2013 at 7:47 PM said:

Joe, Pat, and Family,
Thinking of all of you. It is so hard to lose a parent. Know that she is at peace. Take care. Prayers to you.

Don, Cheryl, Zach, and Sara Harris

Bill and Carol Lewis on April 3, 2013 at 5:51 PM said:

We will always remember Joyce's wonderful smile and sunny outlook. She loved to host the sometimes rowdy class of '61 in the pre-reunion gatherings at her home, and we always felt welcome. As someone else noted, we can picture her in Heaven, dancin' with Don.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Smith "kids", as it's never easy to say goodbye. They were blessed to have such a wonderful mom!

Carole Dahlquist Hess on April 3, 2013 at 3:20 PM said:

Joyce has always been an inspiration to all, and her sweet smile could light up the room. I always enjoyed dropping in to see her when I was home. She was a treasure, and will be missed by so many. Bill and I send our thoughts and prayers to Mike and the entire the Smith Family.

Kip & Eileen Knight on April 3, 2013 at 1:05 PM said:

Joyce will always be remembered for her kindness and her wonderful personality. From the good old days (early 50s) when you lived on Jones Street and she had that pitcher of Kool-Aid in your refrigerator for all of us on those hot summer days, to her service to the Town and the Fayette Consolidated Schools, she was continually thinking of others. The world was a better place because of her. Our prayers are with Mike and all the Smith family.

Georgia & Tom Tucker on April 3, 2013 at 12:11 PM said:

Char,
A smile, a touch, a gentle laugh remembered, a voice softly whispered in the wind. May the memories held deep within you heart help to soothe your spirit at this time.
I'll always remember your Mom's smile. A trip to the Principle's office was never bad -- because she was always the first face you saw.
You and all the Smith family are in our thoughts.

Tom Petsche on April 3, 2013 at 12:05 PM said:

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Smith Family as you have lost a truly wonderful lady. Joyce always had a smile on her face, a kind word of encouragement for someone in need and an infectious positive attitude about life. During her many years at FHS she became the rock that held it all together. I think she knew more about the school than anyone else at that time, in fact she pretty much ran the school. In our lifetime we meet a few people that have a profound impact on us, someone that you never forget, and Joyce was one of those people. She help to make Fayette a better place to live and grow up in and we will all miss her. May God Bless your family in this time of loss, Tom.

Ellen Johnson on April 3, 2013 at 8:25 AM said:

Joyce was one of the sweetest, kindest and most positive women in Fayette. Knowing her mother, Gran, it was easy to see why. I will always think of her trying to get mad at and be firm with my friend and her daughter, Charlene, when we would do something we weren't supposed to do. However, "Smitty" would always get Joyce to laugh, and the trouble would be forgiven. It is hard to imagine that she is gone now. She was someone I thought would live forever, yet I am sure she will in the hearts of those whom she touched. I am so sorry for your loss. Ellen

Sue Bugge on April 3, 2013 at 7:39 AM said:

Thinking of you and your family, Char. Sounds like your Mom was an outstanding lady in so many ways. How blessed you are to have had her in your life!! See you soon.

Sue Armstrong(Rutt) and June Rutt on April 3, 2013 at 6:47 AM said:

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Smith Family. We all remember her from being our dads greatest secretary and kept everything going in the office.
We all remember her as a great lady who had lots of spunk! I am sure she is at peace and in the arms of our Lord and Savior.

marlys schmalle on April 3, 2013 at 3:46 AM said:

You were one of the greatest woman I have known. Always there with a smile and a kind word. I am so proud to have called you friend. Rest in Peace.

Sean on April 3, 2013 at 12:42 AM said:

I love you and am gonna miss you grandma! I know you're hangin with grandpa. LOVE YOU!

Tasha Halupnick on April 2, 2013 at 8:04 PM said:

Deepest sympathy to her family. Many hugs and much love to you.

Tasha Halupnick on April 2, 2013 at 8:03 PM said:

Deepest sympathy to her family. Many hugs and much love to you. ?

Bill Miller on April 2, 2013 at 7:48 PM said:

I share every ones comments and feelings, so glad I got to see your mother last summer. Know she is looking down on all of you and wanting all to be strong during this time. Take good care of yourselves as she would want you to.

Jerry and Jan Kjergaard on April 2, 2013 at 7:32 PM said:

Rest in peace Joyce. You were a grand lady and we have lots of memories of you.

Charlene & Ray on April 2, 2013 at 6:48 PM said:

Oh - she is dancing with Don as we speak. He has waited far too long. Love of his life.

Tasha Dehmlow on April 2, 2013 at 6:07 PM said:

What an amazing lady!
Love to you all during this difficult time.

Erin on April 2, 2013 at 6:03 PM said:

So glad you are free from pain Grandma. Love you!

Mike on April 2, 2013 at 5:51 PM said:

It is so peaceful knowing that you are resting in the bosom of Jesus Christ holding hands with Dad.

mike on April 2, 2013 at 5:48 PM said:

it is so peaceful knowing that you are resting in the bosom of Jesus Christ holding hands with Dad. Your eldest

Chuck and Sharleen Gooder on April 2, 2013 at 2:27 PM said:

Joyce was so much a part of our lives as we often stayed at her home during the summer all class reunions with Mike and Dwight and it was always a gathering place for former classmates. We always visited her on our return trips after she sold her home and won't miss the opportunity. A giving person always with her wonderful laugh.

Dwight and Pat Durfey on April 2, 2013 at 1:46 PM said:

Our sympathy to the Smith family. Pat and I enjoyed staying at Joyce's ( class reunions) and visiting with her on our many stops passing thru Fayette. She is a wonderful lady and we will miss her.

Julie on April 2, 2013 at 10:40 AM said:

Rest in Peace Mama--I will miss our weekly talks on the phone. You were always my rock and I loved you so much. Give dad a big hug from me!!!

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