Obit: Wood, Kristin Marie (1985 – 2009)

Contact: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Wood, Smikrud, Schulze, Zuege, Amundson, Anderson

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) December 23, 2009

Wood, Kristin Marie (20 August 1985 – 14 December 2009)

Kristin M. Wood, 24, of Black River Falls and Eau Claire died unexpectedly Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, in St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, MN.

Kristin Marie Wood was born Aug. 20, 1985, in Black River Falls to Harvey and Diane (Smikrud) Wood.  She was raised in Black River Falls and graduated from Black River Falls High School. She later graduated from the University of Wisconsin (U-W) Eau Claire with a degree in music education.

Following graduation from the university, Kristin became employed as a substitute teacher in Eau Claire.  During the spring of 2009, she accepted a position as long-term substitute music teacher at Black River Falls Middle School.  She has been simultaneously employed as a head cashier at the Hastings Way Menards’s of Eau Claire.  Recently, she signed a long-term substitute teaching agreement with the Hudson School District.

Kristin touched so many lives in such a short period of time.  She was always smiling and had a presence that would light up any room.  Spending time with family and friends was something she greatly valued.

There wasn’t any type of music she didn’t appreciate. She could always find the beauty in any musical genre, much like she could always find the beauty in any person.  Playing the piano was her passion, practicing all hours of the night and often serenading her family to sleep. 

While in high school, Kristin was the yearbook editor and participated in solo ensemble contest, choir, Focus Choir, Madrigal Singers, concert band and marching band. She was active in the local Evangelical Lutheran Church with Kids of the Kingdom, God’s Children and the Tender Branches choirs.  She also was a member of the National Honor society.  She had received the Gold Award – the Girl Scouts of America’s highest honor.  While at UW-Eau Claire, she accompanied many soloists, musicals and theatrical performances.  She was also a member of the Blugold Marching Band, which took her to Rome during the 2007 Christmas Season, where she and the band performed for the Pope.

Kristin is survived by her parents, Harvey and Diane Wood of Black River Falls; a brother, Jason Wood of Black River Falls; a sister, Amanda Wood of Black River Falls; aunts, Judy (Lance) Schulze and Mary Lou Zuege, both of Milwaukee, Vicky Amundson of Black River Falls, Kathy (Marvin) Anderson of McAllen, TX, and Elsie Smikrud of Galesville; an uncle, Jeffrey Wood of Black River Falls; numerous other relatives and a host of friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Arnold and Beverly Smikrud and Victory and Josephine Wood; uncles, Gary Smikrud, Gordon Zuege, and Dean Amundson; and a cousin, Megan Anderson.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009, at the Evangelical Lutheran Church and burial was in Riverside Cemetery, both in Black River Falls.

Family and friends were invited for visitation Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls, and at the church Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be given to the Kristin Wood Memorial Fine Arts Scholarship Fund.  Checks should be made payable to: Black River Falls Area Foundation (in memo area please write: Kristin Wood Fine Arts Scholarship Fund) and send to Black River Falls Area Foundation, P. O. Box 99, Black River Falls, WI 54615.

Online condolences are available at www.buswellfuneralhome.com.