Colleen J. ‘Jill’ Smith, 80, Evansville, formerly Darlington, died June 22, 2016, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Madison. She was born June 11, 1936, at Jenks Maternity Home in Darlington, to Russell and Margaret (Mollrud) Curry.
She graduated from Darlington High School in 1955 and later attended UW-Platteville for two years.
She married Merle T. Smith on Sept. 14, 1957, at Lamont Methodist Church in Lamont. Jill grew up in Darlington. Following their marriage, they lived in San Diego and San Francisco while Merle served in the U.S. Navy. Upon Merle’s discharge from the Navy they moved back to Darlington in 1960. In 1963 they moved to Fort Atkinson, where Jill was very active in a number of civic organizations. In 1981 they moved to Burlington, until 1993 when they moved to Evansville, where they retired. After retiring they looked forward to spending their winters in the Gulf Shore area of Alabama.
Survivors include her husband; children, Stacey (Michael) Reel and Kathy Dorn, both Fort Atkinson, and Jay (Kelly) Smith, East Troy; grandchildren, Melissa Krahn, Kristen Lindsey, Kaitlin Dorn, Samuel Lenz, Andrea and Trey Smith; great-grandchildren, Ava, Parker, and Maximus; sister-in-law, Barbara (Verne) Tollakson of Berlin, and aunts, Jeanette Carlson and Mayetta Devoe, both Madison.
She was preceded in death by her father in 1983; her mother in 2003; and brother, Richard Curry.
She was a member of Lamont United Methodist Church and its United Methodist Women. She was a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother and cherished the time she spent with her family. Jill will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by her family and friends.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, June 26, at 2 p.m., at Lamont United Methodist Church (corner of County D and Hwy. 81) with the Rev. Christopher V. Leistra officiating. Burial will be in Union Grove Cemetery at a later date. A visitation will be held June 26, from noon until time of services at the church. The Erickson Funeral Home in Argyle is serving the family.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Jill’s name.
The family would like to thank Home Health United – Hospice for their care and concern during Jill’s illness.
Well-wishers can visit www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.
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