David “Blue” Edward Smith, 78, known to most as “Blue”, passed away peacefully Thursday, June 26, 2025, at Hillview Healthcare Center, surrounded by his daughters.

He was born December 28, 1946, in La Crosse to Pernell and Jack Smith, the youngest of six children. His father, Jack passed away when Dave was just ten years old, and his mother remarried Irvin Holliday.

Dave graduated from Logan High School in 1965 and was working at Lutheran Hospital as an orderly when he was drafted into the US Army on January 10, 1966.

He was sent to Vietnam in February of 1967 with the 1st Air Cavalry Division. In July of that year, he was wounded in the right leg by shrapnel from a grenade and for that received the Purple Heart. He was discharged from the Army in 1968. Upon his return, his sister Marilyn gave him the nickname ‘Blue’, and it followed him for the rest of his life.

He again worked at Lutheran Hospital, where he met his first wife, Vicki. They were married on August 30, 1969, and had daughters Wendy and Kristy. It was that same year he started working for the La Crosse Fire Department and had a career that spanned over three decades, from driving the “Squirt” fire truck to becoming Lieutenant Chief of Inspection before he retired. After retirement from the LCFD, he continued to serve his community for many years as a bus driver for Laidlaw.

Blue loved cooking! He was the go-to chef at the station when he was on shift and cooked almost all the meals for the guys. He would stop before work to pick up his groceries for the week, and they would eat like Kings! He shared that passion for cooking with his girls, but it was like pulling teeth to finally get the Ham and Bean soup recipe.

He loved driving the fire truck in the parades and running the Smokehouse with Freddy the Firetruck and Spot during Fire Safety Week at the elementary schools and during Riverfest and Oktoberfest.  When the grandkids would visit Grandpa at the Fire Station, they were always able to sit in the truck, turn on the siren, and slide down the pole. Not to mention the huge candy drawer down in the office that was always full.

Family was important to Blue. He cherished the time spent camping, hunting, fishing, playing slow pitch, fast pitch, and 16” softball with his brothers, nephews, and countless friends. From the late 70’s to early 90’s, most of his time was spent at local ball tournaments, the “Augusta Weekend” with the Mueller Masonry clan and camping every summer at Vets Park in West Salem.  At the end of our camping week, he would gather all the food that was left over, along with ground beef, turkey, or whatever was on hand, mix it all together like a big round meatloaf, and call it the Concoction. It cooked all day, low and slow on the baby weber grill while we cleaned up and packed up the site. It was the best ending to our week, and everyone looked forward to eating one last meal together.

Music was also a big part of his life, and it was almost always country music. He had a beautiful voice and loved to sing along to all his favorite songs. He was the highlight of many weddings and family reunions when he would play the spoons.  It’s fitting that when he passed, Rosanne Cash was singing Tennessee Flat Top Box, a song he sang along to many times while playing the spoons.

For Blue, his second home, just like all the Smiths, was at Roscoe’s Vogue. This is where he met his second wife, Bonnie, in 1988.

Bonnie was born in La Crosse on December 9, 1942, to Ruth Strange and thus became the youngest of 5 children. Bonnie attended Central High School and shortly thereafter joined the workforce.  It wasn’t much later when she became mom to Tonya and Michelle (Shelly).

Bonnie was well known throughout the community in the 70s, 80s, and 90s due to the many businesses that she either owned or was employed at. She enjoyed playing board games, especially Monopoly, but only if she owned Boardwalk and Park Place! She also enjoyed a good dice game or dealers’ choice nickel, dime, quarter poker.  Nines and fours were always wild when she had the deal. Who knew she’d eventually marry a 49er fan?!?

She loved to bake! Many people would request her Chocolate Chip Cookies, Texas Cake or Apple Pie Slices. That doesn’t mean she couldn’t cook. She’d prepare 5-course meals for her family, and she definitely knew her way around a grill!  Everyone we knew commented on her cooking.

She was always there for anyone who needed her for anything. I can’t recall ever living with just my mom and sister. There was always a cousin, or a friend, or someone who needed a place to stay, living with us.  All of our friends say we had the “cool mom.” We really did!

In her younger years, she had a passion for excitement. She loved “hot rod” cars, and she knew how to drive them. She enjoyed having fun. Always the life of the party.

Dave and Bonnie were married on March 6, 1990, when he gained two more daughters in Tonya and Shelly and he immediately became Grandpa Dave to their boys.

They loved spending time at the casino together and going to all the basketball and baseball games, ballet recitals and school functions for the grandkids.

His favorite football team was the San Francisco 49ers and grandson Tyler is carrying on the tradition of loving the wrong team for Grandpa.  Bonnie, however, chose to cheer on the Minnesota Vikings.

Another passion Dave had later in life was golf. Bonnie would occasionally join him on the course as well. Days spent on the course with friends and family were a favorite pastime. On 10/06/2020 he had the honor of shooting a hole-in-one on a par 3 at Drugans Castle Mound.

After their retirement, they opened their home for respite and foster care for children in need.

Bonnie preceded him in death on December 29, 2021.

Dave is survived by his sister Marilyn Osweiler, sister-in-law Janine Smith.

Bonnie is survived by sisters Ruth Clair of La Crosse and Faye (Bruce) Ferguson of Fremont, CA and brother Rosewell “Gene” Strange (Arlen) of Salem, Oregon. They are further survived by many nieces, nephews, and too many other family and friends to count. Daughters, Wendy, Kristy, Tonya, and Shelly. Ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren:

Wendy [Smith] Culp- daughters Jordyn (Jake) Harler and baby boy due in October and Jessica Culp (Benny Hernandez).

Kristy [Smith] Mossman- sons Alex (Catherine) Mossman and their son Soren, Zach (Taylor) Mossman and their children Madelyn, Link and Harper. Daughter Isabelle Mossman (Ty Robinson).

Tonya [Gile] Swanson (Chris Capaul)- Sons Travis Swanson (Travis Ballie) and Trevor (Nina) Swanson and their children Emree and Isla.

Shelly [Gile] (Chris) Colombo- son Tyler (Alicia) Clements and their children Aidan and Addilyn, son Ben Colombo and daughter Josie Colombo.

A Celebration of Life for both Dave and Bonnie will be Wednesday July 9, 2025, ~ 6pm-8pm (Fire Department Honor Guard Ceremony at 7pm) American Legion Post 336 731 Sand Lake Rd Onalaska, WI  54650.

A private family burial with Military Honors will be held at a later date.

Condolences may be made to the family by visiting CouleeCremation.com.