Cecelia Smithmier

McFARLAND -Cecelia Lorraine (Harris) Smithmier, age 79, of McFarland, WI passed away peacefully while surrounded by family on April 29, 2018 in Excelsior, Minnesota.

Born in 1938 to Odis and Sarah Harris in St. Louis, MO, Lorraine was the baby of the family and was forever affectionately referred to as "Chick." She attended the all-girl Rosati-Kain Catholic High School and was proud of her alumna status the rest of her life.

She was married to Donald E. Smithmier in St. Louis on February 8, 1958, and they began a series of moves steadily northward - from Missouri to Illinois to Wisconsin, eventually settling their young family in the town of McFarland.

When not tending to her five children or working for Dane County Social Services, Lorraine was a constant presence at Christ the King Church and the McFarland schools, where she volunteered in numerous capacities, including unpaid taxi driver. She loved visiting with friends, listening to music, and dancing, and was well known for her ability to recite lyrics to any classic song on a moment's notice. Lorraine touched the lives of so many people with her kindness, compassion, and sense of humor.

She is survived by her five children: Deborah Smithmier, Lisa Schiek, Angela (Mark) Eilers, Donna (Dan) DuBois and Don (Annie) Smithmier II; her fourteen grandchildren: Casey (Caroline), Caitlyn, Tatum Schiek, Olivia, Annelise Bohn, Jackson, Zoe Eilers, Daniel, Kelsey, Bennett, Christian DuBois, Celia, Ava and Carly Smithmier; her brother, Charles Harris; and her soon-to-arrive great-granddaughter.

She was preceded in death by her parents, four siblings (Thomas, Dorothy, Donald, and Delores), her first husband, Donald, and second husband, Gordon Steen.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Beehive Memory Care, and Brighton Hospice, whose care, friendship, and compassion were greatly appreciated. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation at www.alz.org.


A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Sat May 12, 2018 at CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5306 Main St. McFarland with Fr. D. Stephen Smith presiding. Burial will follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM on Fri May 11, 2018 at Cress Funeral Home, 5801 Hwy 51, McFarland with a Scripture Service at 7:00 PM, and also a visitation from 10:00 AM until the time of the Mass on Sat at the church.

Cress
Funeral and Cremation Service
5801 Hwy 51 McFarland
608-838-0655