Joan Smith
Joan J. Smith, age 94, of Loyal, passed away on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, at Stoney River Assisted Living in Marshfield. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at the Loyal American Legion Hall in Loyal on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Pastors Lon and Kathy Jury will officiate, assisted by Pastor Cindy Gehrt, and burial will follow in the Loyal Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her grandchildren Joe Maass, Ryan Meyer, Matt Druschke, Luke Smith, Jessica Smith, Phil Smith, Adam Smith, and Erik Smith.
Joan Jean Smith was born at home in the town of Hoard, Clark County, on July 8, 1932, to James A. and Verona L. (Buzza) Smith. She was raised on a farm and received her education in Clark County, attending Maple Center School and Sunny Knoll School, and graduating from Loyal High School in 1950. After graduation, Joan entered a contest, having to write in 25 words or less, why you would want to be married in the month of June. She wrote, “June weddings are a family tradition, but our bank account’s in sad condition. We don’t want to live with my pappy — so if we win, we’ll be very happy.” Needless to say, she won the contest. In order to receive her prizes, she needed to be married by the end of June. Fortunately for Vernon “Bud” A. Smith, he was the lucky guy, and they were united in marriage on June 27, 1950, at the Loyal United Methodist Church. In the spring of 1952, they decided to pursue an opportunity in Illinois. After the birth of their first child, they moved back to Loyal in 1953. Joan was a homemaker, and began raising their family of seven children. They enjoyed square dancing as members of the Circle 8 Square Dance Club and playing cards with the neighborhood card club.
In early 1965, they purchased a portable feed mill, and on April 1, Smith Feed Service came into existence. Joan worked alongside Bud, driving truck and doing the bookkeeping until they could afford hired help. The business afforded many opportunities to travel. This included seeing the Great Wall of China and the Parthenon in Greece.
A great joy for the family were the years they owned a houseboat on the Mississippi. Each family would visit for a weekend during the summer months and create lasting memories.
After retirement they enjoyed traveling, visiting all 50 states and wintering in El Mirage, Ariz., in their motor home.
Joan was a charter member of the Loyal United Methodist Church, where she was a very active member in Bible studies and serving as the Sunday School superintendent for 30 years. Joan also was a 4-H leader for the Prosperity Pea Pickers 4-H Club and a charter member of the Live & Learn Homemakers, and served as center chairman for the Clark County Homemakers.
Joan had many interests, but especially enjoyed canning, baking, and was an excellent seamstress. She was gifted at writing letters and sending cards to help others celebrate accomplishments, comfort those in grief, or give encouragement during life struggles.
She will be dearly missed by her husband, Bud, of Marshfield; her seven children: Sandra (Charles) Bruesewitz of Colby, Susan (Richard) Druschke of Valders, Chris (Janis) Smith of Greenwood, Connie “Coni” Meyer of Loyal, Kenneth (Shari) Smith of Greenwood, James “JV” Smith of Athens, and Richard (Julie) Smith of Greenwood; 22 grandchildren; six treasured grandchildren by marriage; 54 great-grandchildren; six treasured great-grandchildren by marriage; two great-great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Arnold Smith, of Claycomo, Mo.; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, James and Verona (Buzza) Smith; sisters, LaVade Carl and Janice Phillips; great-granddaughter, Isabel Smith; son-in-law, Robert “Bob” Meyer; nieces, Lisa Kellerman and Debbie Smith; nephews, Eddie Phillips and Keith Smith; great niece, Janel Comeau; and in-laws, JV and Louise (Millard) Smith, Virginia and Ed Brown, Eldon and Maybelle Smith, and Ronald Smith.
In lieu of flowers, her family asks that donations be given in Joan’s name to Feed My People, the Loyal American Legion, or the Loyal Historical Society.
Thank you to Stoney River Assisted Living staff and St. Croix Hospice for their very compassionate and loving care. Our deepest appreciation to Ron Cuddie for his genuine compassion and friendship.
Online condolences may be expressed at cuddiefh.com. Cuddie Funeral Home of Loyal is assisting the family with arrangements.
