Kathryn A. Smith

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Kathryn A. Smith (née Eggert) passed away peacefully on December 2, 2025, at the age of 73 in Madison, Wisconsin, surrounded by family after a nine-year battle with Parkinson's Disease. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She was the daughter of the late Reverend Edward Eggert and Ruth Eggert, and was born on December 7, 1951, in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Kathy is survived by her husband Gregory V. Smith; son Ryan (Erika) Smith and grandchildren Madison and Ryder; daughter Kristin Smith and granddaughter Indria, and son Eric (Sarah) Smith and granddaughters Ava and Summer. She is also survived by her brothers James (Mary Jo) Eggert and John (Linda) Eggert, sister Marcia (Steve) Gray, and many nieces and nephews.

Kathy was loving, kind, hard-working, fun-loving, and mentally tough. As a child Kathy moved frequently throughout the Midwest as her father, a Lutheran pastor, accepted calls in Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and finally Wisconsin. Kathy was a devout Lutheran of unshakeable faith, and she always believed that the good in the world would outshine the bad. Kathy’s optimism shone through in her appreciation of the simple moments in life: a beautiful sunset, the perfect chocolate cake, a fierce game of cards, hugs from her loved ones, a long walk, or a moving piece of music. Kathy was always a straight-A student and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in sociology from Valparaiso University. After graduation, Kathy returned to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. One fateful night in 1975, Kathy attended the Roberta Flack concert at Summerfest. There she met Gregory Smith who was so taken by her, he orchestrated a phone call through mutual friends and eventually asked her to UW Madison’s Homecoming game. Kathy and Greg quickly fell in love and were engaged six months later. They were married in August 1976. Greg and Kathy eventually made a home in McFarland, Wisconsin, where they raised their beautiful family and enjoyed many wonderful friends.

Music was one of Kathy’s passions; she loved to play piano, sing, attend live performances, and notably sang soprano in the Madison Symphony Chorus for several years. She was a skilled seamstress, and loved to spend time reading, gardening, hiking, and winning nearly every card game. Kathy’s love of travel took her abroad to Germany, Greece, Italy, Austria, Hungary, England, and Ireland, and to nearly all 50 states as well as Canada. Her warm hospitality and fantastic baking and cooking delighted family and friends–her lasagna remains legendary among her kids’ friends.

Professionally, Kathy will be remembered for her positive attitude, care and compassion, diligence, determination, and exceptional organizational skills. While the kids were little, Kathy taught Lamaze childbirth courses to expecting couples and faithfully helped guide many babies into this world. Kathy later served as a special education teacher’s aide in the middle school for several years before eventually organizing many aspects of the Summer School programs for the McFarland School District. The Wisconsin State Superintendent officially recognized Kathy’s 14 years of service and commitment to the educational well-being of students.

Kathy handled her Parkinson's Disease with grace and astonishing mental fortitude. She was a remarkable example of resilience and faith as she faced the challenges of a debilitating, incurable disease.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the women in Comfort Keepers whose help, laughter, patience and understanding allowed Kathy to continue enjoying an independent life long after she was unable to do so on her own. Kathy’s family would also like to thank the staff at Vista West, especially the caregivers in Blu Grotto memory care, as well as her Brighton Hospice team, for the exceptional care, kindness, and respect they showed Kathy.

A Memorial Service will be held at Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, with visitation beginning at 9:30 AM and service at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Kathy’s name to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research at michaeljfox.org.

The family encourages you to share online condolences at cressfuneralservice.com.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road

(608) 238-3434