Gene M. Smith

Gene M. Smith, age 96, of Janesville, WI passed away at SSM Health St. Mary’s Janesville Hospital on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 with his family by his side. He was born June 25, 1926 on a farm in Cross Plains Township, Dane County, WI, the son of James H. and Mary L. (Witte) Smith. His mother passed away a few hours after his birth and he grew up on the farm during the depression days with his father and his seven siblings. Gene always said that even though life on the farm had difficult times, he would not trade them for anything. He often reminisced about his younger days, including attending Murphy Country School, farming with horse drawn equipment and an encounter with a rattlesnake.

Gene graduated from Mount Horeb High School in 1944. He moved to Janesville in 1945 and attended the Janesville Vocational School. He married Laurna June Olson on October 19, 1957. He had a 40 year accounting career having been employed by Gilman Engineering, Panoramic Corporation and Parker Pen Company.

Gene’s family meant everything to him, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Always a grateful person, he appreciated anything anyone did for him. Gene believed in being neighborly and enjoyed his neighbors.

From a young age, Gene had a great love for music and enjoyed playing the piano and organ. Laurna was also musical and it was a shared interest throughout their marriage. Gene enjoyed bowling and in his younger years, was active in bowling leagues. He was a long-time member of Cargill United Methodist Church.

Gene Smith is survived by his son; James C. Smith; his daughter, Anita (Mark A.) Langer; grandchildren, Mark E. (Amy) Langer, Randy (Rachel) Langer, Bruce (Heather) Langer; great-grandchildren, Jace, Eli, Beau, Evan, Dane, Eleanor, Owen, Hazel, Isla and Otis Langer; nieces and nephews.

Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Laurna Smith on February 4, 2012. He was also preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Gladys Fink, Evelyn Quam, Inez Zimmerman, Glenn Smith, Gail Smith, Edna Tschanz and Hazel Clark as well as his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

A special thank you to the ICU staff at SSM Health St. Mary’s Janesville Hospital for their compassionate care as well as to the membership committee from Cargill United Methodist Church for their many visits thru the years.

Private funeral services will be held with entombment in the Milton Lawns Memorial Park Mausoleum. Memorials may be made to ECHO or Cargill United Methodist Church. The Smith family is being assisted by HENKE-CLARSON FUNERAL HOME. www.henkeclarson.com.