Marita Joan Smith

Marita Joan Smith, 97, of La Crosse, WI, passed away on May 23, 2025. She was born on August 26, 1927, to Nicholas and Lucille (Palen) Koel in Caledonia, MN. Marita graduated from Loretto High School in Caledonia in 1945 and from the psychiatric nursing program at Glenwood Hills Hospital in Minneapolis, MN in 1947.

Marita married George E. Smith on February 5,1948. They had seven children. Marita loved her family above all else and was a great wife and a devoted mother.

She was also very active in her community. Marita was a member of the American Heart Association Fund Raising Events from 1992-1997 and was named their Volunteer of the year in 1992. Additionally, she was a 24-year member and supporter of the La Crosse Exercise and Health Program. Marita was a Eucharistic Minister at Mary, Mother of the Church for 30 years and 36 years at Gunderson through their Pastoral Care Volunteer program. She was a Girl Scout Leader in La Crosse, WI and Salt Lake City, UT. Marita also loved playing the clarinet in the De Capo Band for many years. In 1990, Marita joined the La Crosse Oktoberfest Royal family when she was named Mrs. Oktoberfest. George and Marita were co-chairman for the United Fund for the Arts (UFAH) Fund Drive in 2002.

Marita loved to cook and enjoy good food. She and George were members of a gourmet food club in La Crosse for many years. She also enjoyed tending to the beautiful flowers in her yard. Every detail mattered, on the days she and George were Eucharistic Ministers at Gundersen, Marita made sure that their outfits were color coordinated. Additionally, they loved to travel and took trips to Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Hawaii, New York City and many other places.

Marita is survived by George, her loving husband of 77 years. She is also survived by her daughter Kathleen (Billy) Seal, her son Thomas (Sandy) Smith, her daughter Linda (Frank) Gillette, Her son Gerald (Janet) Smith, and her son Michael (Janelle) Smith. Marita also had 23 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughters Colleen and Diane, her grandson Christopher Seal, her parents and father and mother-in-law, four sisters and one brother.

The family is so thankful for the wonderful care that Marita received at Gundersen Health Systems and at Bethany Saint Joseph Care Center and for the caring assistance of Gundersen Hospice.

A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, June 2, 2025, at Mary Mother of the Church Parish, 2006 Weston Street, La Crosse, WI 54601 at 10:30 AM with Rev. Brian Konopa officiating. A visitation will be held on Monday from 9:00 AM until the start of mass. Following the service, lunch will be provided in the Parish Hall. Interment will follow in the Catholic Cemetery in La Crosse.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Mary, Mother of the Church, Gundersen Health System Hospice Services, or the Aquinas Schools Foundation.