Obit: Smith, Loren Purl (1919 - 2009) 

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Smith, Belcher, Dietzman, Voight, Bergeson, Cunningham, Reynolds, Paulsen, Anderson, Lasiewicz, Buss, Lisiecki, Drescher, Sloop, Drehmel, McElmurry, Olinske 

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI.) September 23, 2009  

Smith, Loren Purl (30 November 1919 - 19 September 2009)  

Loren Purl Smith (better known as Smitty or Bud), age 89, of Stanley, Wisconsin, went home to be with his Lord on Saturday, September 19, 2009, while a patient at Our Lady of Victory Hospital, Stanley, with family at his side.   

Loren was born on November 30, 1919, the son of Francis and Ethel (Belcher) Smith.  He married Ruby Grace Dietzman on May 27, 1941, in Zion, Illinois.  She preceded him in death on August 15, 1995.  On June 15, 1996, he married Grace Voight. 

Loren was a mason contractor and worked on many homes and barns in the area, building or repairing basements, walls, etc.  No matter how tough the job was he could repair it.  He worked hard, taught his children and grandchildren well, and loved telling his many stories.  Loren and Ruby were known for their dancing skills, and were always seen on the floor doing the polka or dancing with their square dancing group. 

Survivors include his wife, Grace; and children: Linda (Thomas) Bergeson of Sarona, WI, Theodore (Anita) Smith of Trego, WI, Gordon (Josie) Smith of Cadott, WI, Nancy Cunningham of Floral City, Florida, and Thomas (Judy) Smith of Stanley.  Grandchildren include: Lisa Reynolds, Christopher (Virginia) Paulsen, Stephen (Robin) Anderson, Nathan (Tahnitha) Anderson, Megan and Michelle Smith, Brandi (Paul) Lasiewicz, John Buss, Lori Lisiecki, Thomas (Dana) Smith, William and Ariel Smith.  Great-grandchildren include John and Zachariah Reynolds, Tiffany and Sarah Paulsen, Bryan, Jacob and Isaac Lasiewicz, and Corvin Buss.  Great-great-grandchildren include Jiden Drescher-Paulsen and Isiah Sloop. 

Loren was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Ethel Smith; by his first wife, Ruby; daughter Susan; brothers: Lee, Leonard, Lawrence and Earl; sisters: Helen Drehmel and Frances McElmurry; and great-grandson, Seth Lisiecki. 

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 23, 2009, at the Cadott United Methodist Church in Cadott with Rev. George Olinske officiating.  Interment was at the Huron Cemetery, Town of Colburn. 

Family and friends called from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, at the Leiser Funeral Home, Cadott and also one hour before services Wednesday morning at the church. 

Grandpa Loren will be sadly missed but his memory will be forever cherished.