Joyce Ann (Fertig) Smith
Joyce Ann (Fertig) Smith, 88, of Fort Dodge, Iowa, passed away August 25, 2025, surrounded by her family. A gathering for family and friends will be 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, September 3, at Gunderson Funeral Home in Fort Dodge. A memorial service will be 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, September 3, at Gunderson Funeral Home in Fort Dodge, followed by a committal service at Memorial Park Cemetery, Fort Dodge, Iowa.
Joyce was born March 4, 1937, in Des Moines, Iowa, the daughter of Rooda Ness, and adopted at the age of 3 by Howard Fertig. Joyce was raised in Vinton and Aplington, Iowa, where she graduated high school in 1956. She married Raymond Smith on November 9, 1957, in Hampton, Iowa. After Ray returned from service in England, they moved to Omaha, Nebraska. Joyce later moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa, Iowa Falls, Iowa, Carroll, Iowa and then to Fort Dodge, Iowa. Joyce worked at Brownies Cafe for several years and then at USG for several years. She retired from USG with fond memories of the people she worked with there. She enjoyed quilting for her grandchildren and collecting recipes and eating daily at Ja-Mars. Shortly after her retirement, she was able to meet her other siblings from her paternal father’s side with help from her cousin Bonnie. This brought her great joy and they welcomed her with open arms. Brother Charles even flew his plane up to meet her and called her on several occasions. This made her the oldest of sixteen children between the two families.
Joyce is survived by her children; Annette Mackay, Michael (Ruth) Smith, Alan (Paula) Smith, Rosemary (Allan) Christensen, 11 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren; siblings Susie Franks, Shirely Taulbee, Lawrence Phelps, Mary (Doug) Bell, Ron (Patty) Phelps, Lora (Okee) Walker, Nora (Arnie) Vaupel and her sister-in-law Louisa Fertig.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Smith; parents, Rooda Fertig and Howard Fertig; son-in-law, David Mackay; granddaughter, Angel Mackay; nephews, Daniel Chapin and Clint Franks; siblings, Diane Sowash, Charles Phelps, Kiana Mae Phelps, Sharon Schneekloth, David Phelps, Linda Stewart and Janet Lovell.
The family would like to thank the staff at St. Croix Hospice for their care and compassion, Dr. Lincoln Wallace for watching over her, Ja-Mars staff for all their kindness over the years.