La Crosse – Marilyn Elaine Smith, 79, of La Crosse passed away Saturday, November 21, 2015 at Bethany Riverside Care Center.

She was born August 29, 1936 in the township of Utica, WI to Harold L. Nida and Mildred R. (Tollefson) Nida. She graduated from Logan High School in 1954 and on June18, 1955, she married Richard “Dick” Smith at Trinity Lutheran Church in La Crosse. In the early years of their marriage, she was a homemaker and later she worked as a secretary at Franklin Elementary School on the north side and after some years, she also worked for the La Crosse Board of Education CRUE office on French Island.

When the kids were younger, Marilyn and Dick were avid campers and spent many weekends at Vet’s Park and also some trips to South Dakota and other places. Marilyn was a very good seamstress and actually ran a childrens’ clothing shop (Toddle Togs) out of their house on George Street. She was a loving and caring wife and mother to her family. She volunteered her time and helped out at Trinity Lutheran Church with funeral lunches and she organized the meatball & lefse supper for many years. She also sewed gowns for the church choir and confirmation classes.

Marilyn is survived by her children, Rick (Sharon) Smith of La Crosse, Brian (Laurie) Smith of La Crosse, Sharyn (Bill) Shoening of La Crescent, MN, Dan (Deb) Smith of Cashton, WI and Kari (Art) Rodriguez of Sparta, WI; her grandchildren, Meghan (Andy) Von Arx of Hokah, MN, Ashley (Rob) Johnson of La Crescent, MN, Jessica Smith of Minneapolis, MN, Austin Dayton of Onalaska, WI, Amanda and Matt Smith of La Crescent, MN, Anna and April George of Sparta, WI, Skyllar Schoening of Rosseau, MN, Ben (Jackie) Barland, Sam (Becca) Barland, Matt Barland all of Milaca, MN and seven great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, her parents, an infant son, Christen and her brother, James Nida.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 30 at Coulee Region Cremation Group at 133 Mason Street in Onalaska, WI. A private interment will be at 1:30 p.m. at Mormon Coulee Memorial Park. Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. before the service on Monday.

The family would like to thank the management and staffs of Eagle Crest memory care unit and The Lighthouse at Bethany Riverside. Your professionalism and care for our mother was nothing short of amazing. You all went above and beyond the norm and we are grateful to all of you for that.

Mom, it’s so hard to let you go, but the curtain that covered your memory and stole your personality from you has been lifted and things are clear once again for you. We wish you Godspeed to join those loved ones that have gone on before you. We thank you for all that you were to all of us and we know that you will be checking in on us from time to time. Take our love with you and be at peace.