Joyce J. Smieja

Joyce J. Smieja Beloved Mother and Grandmother Joyce J. Smieja died at her home on August 10, 2006, surrounded by her loving family. Joyce was born on July 4, 1940, to Alois & Wilhelmina Happke in Pierz, MN. She attended school in Pierz. Joyce was a self-taught musician. She played multiple instruments, often at the same time. Joyce was well known as the leader of The Jolly Fishermen band. Music was her joy and she loved the enjoyment it gave to people as they danced and listened. Her band trailer announced, "Polka Music is Happiness". On November 5, 1963, she married Benny Smieja. They farmed and raised their family together in Bellevue Township in Morrison County near Royalton, MN. She was preceded in death by her husband, Benny, who was the love of her life, on January 25, 1984; infant son, Baby Paul; parents, Alois & Wilhelmina Happke; and brother, Jim Happke. Joyce is survived by her four children; Greg (Mary) Smieja of Royalton, MN, Lori (Steve) Blomquist of North Branch, MN, Julie (Brian) Klepke of Plymouth, WI and Roxie (Andy) Schreder of Princeton, MN; 9 grandchildren, Jordon, Caleb and Joshua Smieja, Jon and Matthew Blomquist, Brooke and Isaiah Klepke, Ben and Adam Schreder; two sisters, Marcia Athman of Pierz, MN and Lila Norton of New Richmond, WI; one brother, Jack (Barb) Happke of Pierz, MN; sisters-in-law, Pat Happke of Elk River, MN, Marian Smieja of Royalton, MN, Betty Doroff of Little Falls, MN and Ione Smieja of Swanville, MN. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, August 19, 2006 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Royalton with Father Al Stangl and Father Laurn Virnig con-celebrating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 a" 8:00 P.M. Friday, August 18, 2006 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Royalton with a parish prayer service at 7:00 P.M. Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday one hour prior to mass. Interment will follow in Holy Trinity Cemetery in Royalton.