Obit: Smatlak, Yvonne E. (1929 – 2015)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Smatlak, Snell, Skamser, Toufar, Hargraves, Wiles, Tremblay,

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, Wis.) 13 Aug 2015

Smatlak, Yvonne E. (7 MAR 1929 – 5 AUG 2015)
Yvonne E. Smatlak, 86, Rice Lake, died on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015, at the Rice Lake Convalescent Center. A memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, Aug. 21, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Rice Lake. Rev. James Powers will officiate. Burial will be in Nora Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20, at the Skinner Funeral Home in Rice Lake and for an hour prior to the Mass on Friday at the church.

Yvonne Snell was born on March 7, 1929, in Eau Claire, to Earl and Lulu (nee Skamser) Snell. She was raised in Elmwood, but moved to Rice Lake during high school and graduated from Rice Lake High School in 1947. Yvonne earned a job as secretary for Rice Lake High School and worked there until 1954. She was married in St. Joseph Catholic Church on Feb. 16, 1952, to William Smatlak, who preceded her in death on June 16, 2015. She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Phyllis Williamson and Carol Kyle. Yvonne was an avid knitter, specializing in tree skirts and Christmas stockings, completing more than 100 of these items. She enjoyed playing bridge, was a member of Fortnightly, and delivered Meals-on-Wheels for 40 years. She loved traveling with family, both stateside and abroad, enjoying many trips to Mexico, Majorca, Canada and the Canary Islands. She was accomplished in the kitchen, and passed her skills on to her children and grandchildren. She loved her nieces and nephews like her own children.

She is survived by her daughter, Sue (Harry) Toufar, Spencer; two sons, Daniel (Patricia) Smatlak, Frederick, Md., and John Smatlak, Ladysmith; six grandchildren, Jason (Shannon) Toufar, Loyal, Michelle Yvonne (Jeremy) Hargraves, Marshfield, Paige (Doug) Wiles, Ladysmith, Brooke Tremblay, Hawkins, William "Patrick" Smatlak, Frederick, Md., and Robert Smatlak, Frederick, Md.; seven great-grandchildren, Colby, Carter William, and Cain Toufar, Hailey Yvonne and Tyler Hargraves, and Joslin and Keira Tremblay; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Skinner Funeral Home, Rice Lake, is assisting the family with arrangements.