Obituary of Joyce A. Vander Zanden
Joyce Ann Vander Zanden, passed away peacefully at the age of 81, on Wednesday, August 21, 2024. Joyce was born on March 23, 1943, the daughter of the late John and Mary (nee Krohn) Fischer. Joyce grew up in Marshfield & Shiocton, WI and was a graduate of Shiocton High School, where she met her husband Ray. She lived in several locations in the midwest as part of her husband’s job, including Normal, IL, Harlan, IA, Viroqua, WI and Channahon, IL. She was a long time parishioner of St. Ann Catholic Church in Channahon where she was actively involved with Friday night fish fries.
Joyce took great pride in raising her daughters and caring for their home. She enjoyed all crafts, especially ceramics such as Christmas trees and Nativity scenes. She loved singing, dancing and traveling with her husband as well as relaxing in the boat while he fished. Spending time with her grandchildren and spoiling them with gifts and treats was her favorite thing to do. Her family meant everything to her.
Loving mother of Deborah Vander Zanden of Davenport, IA, Kathy (Hank) Bereman of Aurora, IL, Lisa (Joseph) Gumpper of Iowa City, IA and Rebecca (Robert) Blaisdell of Oswego, IL; Proud grandmother of Ashley (Megan) Sinnwell, Kayla (Garrett) Rowley, the late Heather Arnold, Matthew and Daniel Bereman, Thomas, Samantha and Sarah Gumpper, and Lukas and Nolan Blaisdell; great-grandmother of Liam Sinnwell and Nora Rowley. Joyce is survived by siblings, Jim (the late Jackie) Fischer, Karen (the late Jeff) Belk, Bob (Mary) Fischer, and her special nieces and nephews that she considered her siblings, Sandy, Diane, Gary, Gail and Rene. Numerous additional nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws also survive.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Raymond G. Vander Zanden; her parents; and her siblings, Arlene Croell, Florence Hoffman, Marie Blanchard, Glenn Fischer, Lucille Mellenthin, Pat Pankratz, Larry Fischer, Shirley Fischer, and Mary Jo Weinfurtner.
Visitation will be held on Friday, August 30, 2024, at St. Ann Catholic Church, 24500 S. Navajo Dr., Channahon, IL, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Aux Sable Cemetery in Minooka, IL where Joyce will be laid to rest next to her husband.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to Alzheimer’s Association or Susan G. Komen Foundation.
A special thanks to Bickford of Oswego for the care the Bickford Family Members provided our mother these past five years.
For more information please call Fred C. Dames Funeral Home at 815-741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.
