Joyce Sorden's Obituary
Sorden, Joyce Waser July 29, 1928 - December 23, 2016 Joyce Carolyn Waser was born in Waupaca, Wisconsin on July 29, 1928 to parents Mathilda Mathiasen Waser and Henry Julius Waser. Joyce grew up in the cottage her father built on Lake Winnebago, and spent school months in rented homes in Neenah and Fond du Lac. Joyce was determined to go to college to study chemistry, so in 1946 she began as a commuter student at the Oshkosh State Teachers' College. In 1948 she transferred to the UW-Madison where she completed her degree in chemistry in 1950. On September 8, 1951 Joyce married Dale L. Sorden, who was completing his law degree at the UW. Joyce worked at Bjorksten Research Laboratories in Madison and at Milprint when the couple moved to Milwaukee. In 1958 Joyce and Dale had their first child, Steve, and Joyce became a full-time mother and homemaker. Their daughter, Christina, was born in 1961. Throughout her adult life Joyce was an avid community volunteer. She served in leadership roles in the AAUW, Women's Club of Wisconsin, and Tuesday Club in Milwaukee, and volunteered for over 40 years at Community Memorial Hospital in Menomonee Falls. She loved music, gardening, skiing, pets, and riding her beloved horse Applejack. In her later years she and Dale traveled extensively. Joyce was always ready to stop for ice cream. Joyce died on December 23 after a long struggle with dementia. She is survived by her son Steve and daughter-in-law Jill, her daughter Christina Meyerhoff and son-in-law Jeff, and her four grandchildren Sam, Natalie, Max and Hayle. Dale predeceased her in 2002. A Celebration of Life will be held on April 22 at 4:30 PM at the Western Racquet Club, 1800 Highland Drive, Elm Grove, 53122. In lieu of flowers, we hope you will consider making a donation to the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center http://www.adrc.wisc.edu.
What’s your fondest memory of Joyce?
What’s a lesson you learned from Joyce?
Share a story where Joyce's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Joyce you’ll never forget.
How did Joyce make you smile?