Obit: Smart, Lea A. (1925 - 2017)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Grajek, Hanson, Ludwig, Madson, Mielke, Riehle, Schillinger, Schulz, Shremp, Smart, Stauner, Thompson, Zier

----Source: The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home (Abbotsford, WI) 12/31/2017

Smart, Lea A. (7 JUL 1925 - 30 DEC 2017)

Lea A. Smart, age 92, of Colby, passed away on Saturday, December 30, 2017, at Bethany Pines Assisted Living in Waupaca under the tender care of Heartland Hospice.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Sunday, January 7, 2018, at Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford. Pastor Teri Hanson will officiate. Interment will follow at the Abbotsford Cemetery. Family and friends are welcome from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM on Sunday at the funeral home.

Lea was born on July 7, 1925, the son of Benjamin and Anna (Schulz). He attended Rusk School. On October 13, 1945, Lea was united in marriage in Merceda Riehle at St. Bernard's Catholic Church. She preceded him in death on March 1, 2016.

Lea was a hard-working farmer. He farmed in the Colby, Curtis, and Dorchester areas. He worked for Christensen Sales, and the Feed Store in Abbotsford. For 19 years Lea was the head groundskeeper for the Abbotsford Cemetery. He also enjoyed playing cards, baseball, horseshoes, and playing pool.

Lea is survived by his seven children: Calvin (Susan) of Crossville, TN; Larry of St. Petersburg, FL; Janice (Terry) Ludwig of West Bend; Diane Zier (Don Madson) of Amherst; Carol (James) Stauner of Marshfield; Bernice Grajek of Las Vegas, NV; and Russell of West Allis; 15 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, friends, and other family members.

Lea was preceded in death by his wife, two sons-in-law: Daniel Zier and Jeff Grajek, a daughter-in-law, Marilyn (Thompson) Smart, and two sisters: Erma (Mielke) Shremp and Norma Schillinger.