Gloria J. Smith

Gloria J. Smith, age 91 of 1600 S. 18th St., Room 14, Manitowoc, WI died peacefully Saturday, February 1, 2025 at Felician Village at the Villa Assisted Living Group Home.

Gloria was born July 2, 1932 in Collins, WI daughter of Elmer and Elsie Voigt. She attended school in Reedsville, WI and graduated with the class of 1951 from Reedsville High School. Gloria went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in home economics from Stout State College (now UW-Stout), a master’s degree in child development from UW Stevens Point, and a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from UW-Milwaukee. On July 21, 1956, Gloria married Richard C. Smith at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Valders. In her long career as an educator, she taught Home Economics at Valders High School, elementary guidance at Valders, and was an administrator at Valders High School. She finished her career in education as the School to Work coordinator for Manitowoc Public Schools, working closely in collaboration with Lakeshore Technical College. She was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church, Stephen Ministry, and was a 4-H advisor and Girl Scout leader. She also judged foods, crafts, and sewing entries at many county fairs.

Survivors include three children: Catherine (Brian) Johnson, Winamac, IN; Susan Smith, Manitowoc, WI; Perry (Laurie) Smith, Sayner, WI; five grandchildren: Karl (Molly Meyer) Johnson, Chicago, and Kurt Johnson, Goshen, IN; Melissa (Adam) Schmidt, De Pere, WI; Travis Seefeldt, Manitowoc; and Ross Seefeldt, Manitowoc; six great grandchildren: Tatum, Talia, Teagan, and Connor, Manitowoc, WI; Morgan and Hadley, De Pere, WI; two sisters and brothers-in-law: Jean (Grant) Hartman, Evansville, IN; Alan Loehndorf, Fond du Lac; one sister-in-law: Chris Voigt, Manitowoc; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive. Gloria was preceded in death by her husband Richard Smith, one brother and sister-in-law: Fulton (Carol) Smith; three brothers, one sister, one brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law: Oliver (Ione) Voigt; Lloyd (Verna Mae) Voigt; Vic Voigt; Beverly (Ed) Meyer.

Visitation will take place at the church from 9:00 am until 10:45 am with funeral services at 11:00 am Saturday, February 8, 2025 at Faith Lutheran Church, 225 Roosevelt Street, Valders, WI. Pastor Dan Lyman will officiate. Burial will follow at Our Savior’s Cemetery, Valders. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Faith Lutheran Church or Felician Village.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff from Sharon S. Richardson Hospice who treated Gloria with dignity and grace, and eased her transition from this life. The family would also like to give the most heartfelt thank you to the staff at The VIlla. Gloria was a resident for more than eleven years, and the love, care and genuine affection the staff had for “Grandma” was SO evident in her last days with them.

Expressions of sympathy can be made to the family by visiting www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com

Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Reinbold & Pfeffer Funeral Home of Manitowoc is assisting the family with arrangements.

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