Lois Marie Smetana passed away on Thursday, November 14 surrounded by her loving
family. Lois was born to Thone and Selma Karnitz on October 22, 1932 in Pine
ValleyTownship, Neillsville, WI. She grew up on a dairy farm, attended Hillside School
and then Neillsville High School where she graduated as Salutatorian of the class of
1950.
In November 1950 she started work at Black River Falls for the Wisconsin Conservation
Department (later Wisconsin DNR) where she met and later married Bernard Smetana
on June 8, 1957. They were married for 50 years until Bernie’s passing on August 22, 2007.
They welcomed 5 children to their family over the years. In addition to spending
time with family, Lois and Bernie enjoyed travelling the world together. Lois helped start
the Black River Country Abstract Company in 1974 and worked there for over 20 years,
then continued for many years on a part-time basis. She was an active member of the
Town & Country Homemakers Club for 63 years; she held the offices of county/district
secretary, county/district international chairwoman, as well as being a 4H leader and
teacher’s aide when her children were younger. She was active in her church, including
Parish Council, Altar Society, and teaching CCD. She did a great deal of volunteer sewing
for organizations in need, including making bibs for new mothers, quiltlets for
Nicaragua, sanitary products for Africa, and embroidering of the baptismal shawls for
the church.
She volunteered with Friends Sharing Food for 15 years, acting as coordinator for most
of that time. She was honored as one of Jackson County’s Women in History and won
the Jefferson Award for Community service.
Preceding Lois in death were her husband Bernie, parents Selma and Thone, brother
Kenneth and sister-in-law Virginia; nephew Kerry Karnitz and numerous sisters-in-law
and brothers-in-law.
Surviving Lois are her children Lori (Jeff Swiggum), Lisa (Thomas Seifert), Mark (Karen),
Brian (Lou Olson) and Beth (John Steindorf), grandchildren Rachel (Dane Knudsen)
Smetana-Knudsen, Nicole Smetana, Olivia (Kaden Berg) Steindorf-Berg and Sgt.William
Steindorf, USMC and great-grandson Landen Knudsen, as well as many nieces, nephews,
great nieces and great nephews.
Visitation will take place at the Buswell Funeral Home on Thursday, November 21 from
4:30 until 6:30 p.m. and again on Friday, November 22 from 9:30 am until the Funeral
Service at 10:30, which will be officiated by Pastor Jenny Hatleli.
Lunch will be served at the Legion Hall following the service. Burial will take place at the
Irving Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorials can be addressed to Friends Sharing Food, Interfaith
Caregivers and the Boys and Girls Club.
(The family wishes to thank St. Croix Hospice for the care Lois received during the last
months of her life.)