Donna Jean Smith

Donna Jean Smith age 88 of LaFarge WI died Wednesday September 11, 2019. Donna Jean (Clark) Smith, 88, of La Farge, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully in her home the morning of Wednesday, September 11, 2019, after a brief illness. She was born August 11, 1931, near Dell, WI, to the late Omer and Nellie Clark, the youngest of their eleven children. She graduated from Cashton High School in 1948 and from Normal School in Viroqua in 1950. She taught in one-room schools for seven years. On August 16, 1954, Donna married Carl E. Smith, and together they had a son and two daughters: Vernie, Barb, and Jackie. During their nearly 53 years of marriage, Carl and Donna lived in Birnamwood, Columbus, Cottage Grove, and La Farge. After Vernie was born, Donna delighted in being a homemaker and helpmate to Carl. Together they met the challenges of life with optimism and humor and were always a strong example of unconditional love to their children and all those who knew them. Over the years Donna kept a clean house, cooked many meals for visitors, cared for homebound relatives, sent greeting cards to loved ones far and near, and was a great listener. She was a school crossing guard for 20+ years in Cottage Grove. Her family always looked forward to her delicious apple pies at holidays and family gatherings. She had an old-time understanding of the weather, liked to feed her birds, and occasionally had an outdoor cat. She loved to mow her lawn up until a month before her death. Donna came to know Jesus Christ as her Savior as a young teen at camp and served Him faithfully her entire life. Donna led womens Bible studies over the years and developed many lifelong friendships. In 1993 after moving to the Smith family farm near La Farge, Carl and Donna attended Bethesda Lutheran Church in Westby. After Carls death, Donna attended La Farge Free Methodist Church. In 2009 she suffered a stroke. Never wanting to be a burden on her children, Donna worked very hard and achieved the ability to live alone again and drive her car. She always said all the rehab helped her through the lonely second year after Carl died. She treasured her nieces and nephews and extended family, always grateful for their care and support. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were a constant source of grandmotherly pride. Donna enjoyed writing. She kept a diary since before her wedding of all their daily events and was able to settle many a family disagreement by referring to them. Over a span of 40 years she wrote inspirational thoughts from her walk with the Lord as well as a few short memory books of family life as a child. One of her favorite accomplishments was conceiving, writing, photographing, and narrating a slideshow of the story of Jesus birth, life, death, and resurrection for a Christmas program in the Albion Seventh Day Baptist Church in the 1970s. Many people dressed in costumes to portray various parts. She felt the Lord led her throughout the project. Over the years, she was invited to show the slides at churches and events. Donna is survived by son Vernie Smith, daughters Barbara (Dennis) Francis and Jacqueline (Paul) Sjoberg, grandchildren Luke (Katherine) Francis, Rebecca (Timothy) Conley, Grant (Laura) Francis, Rachel (Tyler) Cochran, Lana (Matthew) Williams, Andrew Sjoberg, and Joseph Sjoberg, and five great grandchildrenShaphan, Baruch, Ahava, and Chara Conley and Caleb Francis. She is also survived by, two sisters, Violet Jorgenson and Mae (Ed) Fronk, and a sister-in-law Mava Clark, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Carl in 2007; and her brothers and sisters: Berlie (Ara) Clark, Leland (Esther) Clark, Zenneth (Lawrence) Widner, Thella (Dale) Wolfe, Mary (Robert) Strait, Phyllis (Henry) Appleman, Dale Clark, Vernie (Pat) and (Dorothy) Clark, and Hollis Jorgenson; and her half-brother Hollie (Ida) Clark. Donnas memorial service will be held at noon Friday, September 20, 2019, at the La Farge Free Methodist Church, 214 S. Cherry St., La Farge, WI 54639. Pastor Mark Phillips will officiate. Visitation will be held at 11:00 a.m. until time of service at the church. In lieu of flowers or plants memorial should be directed to the charity of the donors choice in Donnas name. On-line condolences may be offered at www.vossfh.com The Vosseteig Funeral Home, 203 N. State St., in LaFarge is assisting the family. (608) 625-4244.