SPARTA - Zoe M. Smith, 91, of Sparta, WI, passed away Saturday, December 18, 2021.
Born April 9, 1930, in Highland Park, IL, Zoe graduated from Highland Park High School in 1947, was married to Loren Smith in 1948 and later divorced. She worked many years as a bookkeeper and retired as an office manager for a well-drilling company in Libertyville, IL. After retirement, she worked several years as a licensed pharmacy assistant.
She was an avid reader, loved puttering around in her garden and her favorite past time was fishing. Every year her Christmas lights and full-size Christmas tree had to be set-up, no table topper for her! She prided herself on her French twist updo and being neatly pressed, ironing her clothes weekly. The week before she passed, she lamented to her daughter-in-law that for the first time ever she was visiting her doctor and her clothes weren’t ironed.
After moving to Sparta, Zoe worked several years at Monroe County Senior Services. She volunteered at the St. Clare Health Mission, Franciscan Skemp Women’s Auxiliary, Monroe County Senior Services, and the Rolling Hills Rehabilitation Center and Retirement Home. Zoe loved to attend the Fire and Iron Station 131 motorcycle club fundraising events with her son and daughter-in-law, Ryan and Linda. Everyone enjoyed her sharp wit. She had the ability to put you in your place with a withering look, even in those last hours.
Zoe is survived by her three loving children, son Greg Smith of Fernandina Beach, FL; daughter Lauren (Alan) Simer of Liberty, SC; and son Ryan (Linda) Smith of Sparta, WI; grandchildren, Kathryn (Ken) Carberry; Andrew (Kara) Simer; Philip (Akvilija) Simer; Mackenzie Smith; and Delaney Smith; great-grandchildren, Macy, Reid, Ruben, Ella, and Tucker; and several nieces and nephews. Zoe was preceded in death by her two twin sons, who died in infancy; her parents, Michael and Cleo Maurine; sisters, Katherine and Cleo, and brother Tom.
A celebration of life is being planned for early April and will be announced by the Torkelson Page Smith Funeral Home in Sparta. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhom.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Marine Toys for Tots or the Sparta Fire Protection District by sending checks made out to SFPD c/o Ryan M. Smith, 5592 Hamilton Ave., Sparta, WI 54656.
Torkelson Page Smith Funeral Home
