Joyce H. Smith's Obituary
Joyce H. Smith, 94, of Eau Claire passed away peacefully at Country Villa Assisted Living in Omro, WI on Friday, June 5, 2026 following several years battling congestive heart failure. St. Croix Hospice Care team provided support to Joyce and her family during her short stay in Omro.
She was born on May 3, 1932 to Alvin and Nora Veum in Whitehall, WI. On July 17, 1954, she married James G. Smith at Immaculate Conception Church in Eau Claire, WI. Joyce and Jim lived in Port Orford, OR where he was stationed in the U.S. Coast Guard until they returned to Eau Claire in 1955.
Joyce enjoyed many worldwide trips with Jim to over 15 foreign countries along with visiting many U.S. states. And she loved spending time at their cabin – Smith’s Jackpine Hilton - on Sunfish Lake in Spooner. Snowmobiling was another activity she looked forward to. Joyce was proud of her golfing skills and was a member of two golf leagues in Eau Claire. She loved to tell Norwegian Ole and Sven jokes and would start laughing so hard she could barely finish telling the joke. Joyce was a dog lover and loved all of her dogs.
Joyce is survived by her daughter Cynthia (Douglas) Legro of Oshkosh; three sons: Michael of Chippewa Falls; Robert of Helena MT; and Steven of Barnes, WI. She enjoyed her 6 grandchildren: Andrew Shaw of Neenah; Alisa Shaw of Suamico; Lindsey (Jeff) Thomas of Eau Galle; Jerrod (Katie) Smith of Eau Claire; Garrett Smith of Helena, MT and Savannah Smith of Phoenix, AZ. Joyce is also survived by 4 nieces and 6 nephews. Joyce was great grandmother to Kyla and Alexis of Suamico and great-great grandmother to great-great grandson Greyson. Preceding her in death were her husband of 63 years, James G. Smith, her parents, and two sisters Beverly Johnson of Larkspur, CO; and Connie Boehm of Eau Claire.
The family would also like to acknowledge and thank the care teams of St. Croix Hospice and Country Villa Assisted Living who provided exceptional care to her.
Per Joyce’s request, a private Mass of Christian Burial with immediate family will be held. Interment will be at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Spooner, WI, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Joyce’s name to the Bob’s House of Dogs and Cats (Bob's House for Dogs + Cats), or St. Francis Food Pantry, 1221 Truax Blvd, Eau Claire, WI 54703 (https://www.stfrancisfoodpantry.org).
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