Leslie C. Smith

Leslie C. Smith, 94, passed away on Saturday, May 8, 2010, at Wheaton Franciscan Health Care Center-All Saints. Leslie was born on October 12, 1915, in Green Bay, the oldest son of Raymond J. and Milda (Bocher) Smith.

Leslie attended West High School and Green Bay Vocational School.  He worked in Green Bay at Fairmont Dairy and Green Bay Printing and Engraving.  On June 12, 1941, Leslie was united in marriage with Bernice L. Biebel at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay. During World War II.  Leslie worked at the Department of Commerce Building on the Mall in Washington, D.C., printing maps for the war effort. After the war he moved his young family to Racine and worked for Western Printing and Lithographing Company, retiring in 1977.

As a youngster growing up in the 1920s, Leslie would sometimes ride along with his Dad, a conductor with the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad.  Family trips to visit relatives in Gillette, Laona, Berry Lake, Two Rivers and Little Suamico were often by rail. This instilled a fondness for the unique sights and sounds of steam-powered trains that lasted throughout his life.

Leslie also had many memories of family trips by car to the small Wisconsin communities during an era when traveling along the scenic but often dusty and muddy roads was an adventuresome undertaking.  Leslie had an interest in his family history, as some of his ancestors were early settlers during the pioneering age of early Wisconsin.

In retirement Leslie greatly enjoyed gardening and tending his large yard filled with various berry bushes and fruit trees. Leslie enjoyed cooking, and often made delightful dishes from the large variety of fruits and vegetables he grew and preserved.  He enjoyed carpentry, skillfully remodeling several homes, and designed and built a garden house and mini-barn.

Leslie’s Catholic faith was very important throughout his life.  Leslie and Bernice were members of St. Joseph’s Parish in Racine for over 50 years. Most of all, Leslie will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Leslie is survived by Bernice, his loving wife of almost 69 years; sons, Ronald (Diane) of Racine and Randall of Green Bay; daughter, Lois Caryn of Kenosha; granddaughters, Wendy (Ron) Goldschmidt of Waterford and Tracey (Tim) Lui of Racine; great-grandchildren, Samantha and Matthew Lahti and Melissa Lui; sister-in-law, Myra Holznecht.

He was preceded in death by brothers, John (Jack) Smith and Raymond E. (Tubby) Smith; brothers-in-law, Frank Holznecht and Loyal Biebel; and sisters-in-law, Helen and Alice Smith and Elaine Biebel.

Funeral services for Leslie will be held at Sturino Funeral Home on Thursday, May 13, 2010, at 6: 30 p.m. with Rev. Stephen J. Stradinger of St. Mary’s by the Lake Catholic Church officiating. There will be a visitation at Sturino Funeral Home on Thursday from 5 p.m. until service time at 6:30 p.m. Leslie will be laid to rest at Allouez Catholic Cemetery in Green Bay.

The Smith family wishes to express sincere appreciation to Bonnie, Mary and Jill of Wheaton Franciscan Home Health and Hospice for their gentle, loving care to Leslie during the last few months.

 Sturino Funeral Home
3014 Northwestern Ave., Racine 262 632-4479