Joyce Louise Sondag, daughter of Warren, Sr. and Opal (Lewis) Smith, was born on February 28, 1926 in Riverton, Iowa. She passed away suddenly on Sunday, August 12, 2007, at her home in Bellevue, Nebraska.
She grew up and graduated from high school in Shenandoah, Iowa. Joyce worked for KMA radio and was united in holy matrimony to William M. Sondag on March 14, 1946 at St. Ambrose cathedral in Des Moines. She enjoyed working with the public and made many friends before retiring from both Sears and J. C. Penney's at the Southroads Mall in Bellevue.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Nancy Jane; brother, John Rex (Red) Smith; and a grandson, Vincent Maniscalco. She is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, William M. Sondag of Bellevue NE; children, Stephen Sondag and wife Wendy of Reston VA, Deborah Maniscalco and husband Richard of Seattle, WA; Timothy Sondag, Knoxville, Jeffrey Sondag, Bellevue, NE; Rebecca Sondag of Burwell, NE; Kevin Sondag and wife Deb of Chandler, AZ; grandchildren, Jennifer Sondag of New York City, NY, Nicholas Maniscalco of Seattle, WA and Elizabeth Sondag of Herndon, VA; brother, Jack Smith and wife Dorothy of Shenandoah, IA; sisters, Beth Ullsperger and husband Raymond of Douglas, NE, and Maribel Beery and husband William of Omaha, NE; many friends and relatives.

Mass of Chrisitan Burial was held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 17, 2007, from St. Mary's Catholic Church in Shenandoah. Celebrant was Rev. Vern Smith. Altar servers were Hanna and Amy Fursa. Lector was Rebecca Sondag. Song leader was Fred Strunk. Organist was Mary Beth Gowing. Attending the register book were Jennifer Sondag and Elizabeth Sondag. Casket bearers were Stephen Sondag, Kevin Sondag, Rebecca Sondag, Nicholas Maniscalco, Tim R. Sondag and Jeff A. Sondag. Burial was in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Shenandoah. The Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.