Joyce Ann Smudde

Joyce Ann Smudde, age 71, was welcomed into heaven on July 13, 2022 after a long, courageous battle with cancer. She was born on May 18, 1951, daughter of the late Bill and Bernice (Ambrosius) Van Wychen. Joyce married Dick Smudde on June 7, 1974, and together have shared over 48 years of marriage.

Joyce made a difference in so many children’s lives by teaching for over 40 years, most of them at St. Nicholas Catholic School in Freedom. She was a very active member of St. Nicholas parish and was a member of the Glory Choir for many years. Joyce’s greatest treasures were her granddaughters. Spending time with them and the rest of her family made her the most happy.

Joyce is survived by her devoted husband, Dick Smudde; children: Michelle (Jeff) Huss and Jeff (Denise) Smudde; granddaughters: Aubrey and Sophia Huss, Kayla and Paige Smudde; siblings: Janice (Marv) Wiedenhaupt and Joanne (Greg) Felton; brothers and sisters-in-law: Bev (Don) Feldkamp, Leone (Jim) Pahl, Ann (Dave) Dupont, Lois (Jim) Lemke, Linda (Don) Moehring, Ralph (special friend, Cheryl) Smudde, Ken (Julie) Smudde, Steve (Sue) Smudde, Mary (Joe) Greiner and Brian Smudde; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Bernice Van Wychen; sister, Judy Van Wychen; father and mother-in-law, Al and Agnes Smudde; and sister-in-law, Kathy Smudde.

Visitation will be held on Monday, July 25, 2022, at the Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home FREEDOM LOCATION, N3972 Columbia Ave., Freedom, from 4:00 p.m. until the time of a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue Tuesday morning, July 26, 2022, at Saint Nicholas Catholic Church, N4086 Cty Rd E, Freedom, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass at 11:00 a.m. The Mass will also be livestreamed at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/stnicholasfreedom. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.

Joyce’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to her extraordinary medical team that allowed them many precious years together, especially Dr. Paul Russo, Dr. Xin Yao, Dr. Avi Barlev, Molly Schumacher, APNP, Mar VerVoort, APNP, Dr. Charles Cheng, all the doctors and nurses at ThedaCare Cancer Center, and Amber from ThedaCare Hospice.

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