Joyce Vandenberg, age 96 of Greenwood passed away Sunday, May 17, 2026. She was born to the late Jacob and Susie Vanderveer of Leewaden, Netherlands.

After World War II and having survived occupied Netherlands Joyce immigrated to the United States alone through Ellis Island on December 20,1948 when she was 19 years old. She was sponsored by her late Uncle Clarance Slager of Wheatfield, Indiana.

Various employment including picking asparagus, being a nanny, and candling eggs for IGA enabled her to quickly learn English and the American culture. English was Joyce’s fourth language after Friesian, Dutch, and German. She later moved to Clifton NJ where she earned her GED in 1954. She became a United States citizen March 6, 1957. Joyce was a lab technician for Hoffman and Roche pharmaceuticals for ten years.(1956-1966) She married the late Joseph Vandenberg of Rocklane, IN on July 7, 1966 in Bloomington IN. They were married for 24 years. Their farm and homestead are still to this day a landmark in Clark township. Joyce was the dishwasher for the school cafeteria at Clark Elementary and Whiteland High School collectively for six years. Joyce was a founding member of Community Church of Greenwood when it met at the Greenwood High School cafeteria in 1977. She attended CCG regularly for 48 years. She enjoyed gardening, watching game shows, and jigsaw puzzles. Joyce was still playing volleyball with her friends in her early 90’s. She worked at the Refuge Food Pantry in Greenwood, IN for 20 years before retiring at age 94.

Joyce was preceded in death by her sister Dina Hensema (Vissa) of Harlingen, Netherlands and is survived by her sister Minke (Thom) Vandermeer of Dracten, Netherlands along with several nieces and nephews. Her children include Teddy Vandenberg of Bargersville, John Vandenberg (Lisa) of West Lafayette, IN; granddaughters, Kayla, Janae, Autumn, and Olivia Vandenberg.

Visitation and funeral services will be Tuesday May 26, 2026. Visitation from 1:00pm - 2:00pm. Funeral service at 2:00pm at Forest Lawn Funeral Home and Cemetery in Greenwood, IN. Joyce will be laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens. 1977 South 135 Greenwood, IN 46143

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Refuge Food Pantry, 1150 South Park Drive Greenwood, IN 46143.