Obit: Smith, Geneva Jane (1921 – 2021)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Smith, Studnitcka, Audorff, Steinke, Noel, Davey, Olson, Golisch, Lucas, Robarge, Maslanka, Lewandowski

----Source: Anderson Funeral Home (Augusta, Eau Claire Co., WI) 7/16/2021

Smith, Geneva Jane (11 September 1921 – 13 July 2021)

Geneva J. Smith, just 60 days shy of 100, passed away early Tuesday morning, July 13, 2021, at Mayo Health System- Oakridge in Osseo.

Geneva Jane Smith, daughter of August and Rosie (Studnitcka) Audorff, was born September 11, 1921, in the Butlerville area of Clark County. She was raised in this area and attended Butlerville Country School. Geneva was united in marriage to Lawrence Smith on Dec. 28, 1938, in Stanley. The couple farmed most of their married life in Ludington Township, rural Augusta. In addition to working next to her husband on the farm and raising her 7 children, she also worked at Bush Brothers Canning Company and as a salad prep at Chuck’s Black Bear Supper Club in Augusta. After Lawrence passed away on Oct. 13, 1993, Geneva continued to live on the farm. Eventually she moved to town residing in Augusta and then to her apartment at the Fall Creek Commons. Due to failing health she entered Augusta Health and Rehabilitation on Jan. 12, 2018.

Geneva lived her life to the fullest and cherished the time spent with her extended family. She always planted a large garden and spent hours canning the harvest to feed her family. She was a wonderful cook and over the years baked numerous loafs of bread, many pots of soup, and prepared all types of meat of which her family have very fond memories. She always looked forward to an interesting auction, a good thrift sale and working with her flowers. For many years she entered her prized flowers into competition at the Northern Wisconsin State Fair. While at the fair she received many ribbons. She also received “Best of Show” award for a lavender double impatient hanging basket.
For several years during the month of January, Geneva and her daughter, Brenda, drove to Fort Meyers, Florida where they were joined with their close friend, Cathy.

Geneva will be dearly missed by her loving family, 4 sons, Jerry (Dorothy) Smith of Fall Creek, Lawrence “Larry” Smith of Fairchild, Dennis Smith of Augusta, Brian (Natalie) Smith of Osseo; 2 daughters, Judy Steinke of Osseo, Brenda Smith (Gregg) of Augusta; 20 grandchildren, Patrick (Roxanne), Eddie, and Loren Noel, Debbie (Shawn) Davey, Chris (Mike) Olson, Beth (Joe) Golisch, Wade, Dusty (Kristie), and Matt (Mandy) Smith, Buffy Smith, Don (Dyan), Mike (Leslie), and Kevin (Stella) Steinke, Todd (Tina), Mike (Julie), Eric (Lori), and Alan (Sherry) Smith, Derek (Maggie), Lucas, and Jacky Robarge; 37 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Bertha Maslanka of Rockford, IL, and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.

In addition to her husband, Geneva was preceded in death by her parents, August and Rosie; daughter Patricia Noel; grandson Brant Smith; daughters-in-law, Vivian and Barbara Smith; son-in-law Dave Steinke; sister Midge Lewandowski; and father and mother-in-law, Francis and Ethel Smith.

A visitation will be held Thursday, July 22, 2021, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home in Augusta, and on Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ludington. Funeral services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the church with burial in the Huron Presbyterian Church Cemetery, rural Stanley.

Online condolences can be left at www.andersonfhaugusta.com