George Smith

George H. Smith, 98, of Oconomowoc passed away on Sunday, December 3, 2017 at the Zilber Hospice Center in Wauwatosa surrounded by his loving family.

George was born on February 23, 1919 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin  the son of George and Esther (Merath) Smith. George married his loving wife Rita Novtony in 1946 in Watertown and the two enjoyed 34 years of marriage until her passing in 1980.  He later married his loving wife Kathleen (Feuerstahler) Smith on June 25, 1983 in Oconomowoc.  George was a graduate of Bliss Electrical School in Maryland.  After serving his country in the Army during WWII and receiving a Purple Heart, he returned back to Wisconsin and worked as an Electrical Engineer for Wisconsin Bell, retiring in 1981.  He was a member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Oconomowoc. For leisure, George enjoyed traveling with his wife, and spending time outdoors. He gardened, rode horses, and even hiked in his early 90’s. In his younger years, George was quite an athlete and was a member of the Army Football Team. George took up golfing in his sixties and like most things he put his mind to, excelled, even shooting a hole in one. George was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Survivors include: Wife Kathleen Smith of Oconomowoc; Daughters Cynthia Irish of Burnsville, MN, Jana Dubry of San Antonio, TX and Andrea (Ted) Camenisch  of Oconomowoc, WI; Six Grandchildren, Donna (Rod) Leder, Fred Irish, George (Jolene) H. Smith III, Duane Smith, Jenny Smith-Collins and Carrie Smith-Oldenhoff; Six Great Grandchildren, Tym, Kevin, Anthony, Matthew, Erin, and Alex, ;. He is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Brother Clarence Smith, Sister Esther Flater and Son George Smith Jr.

Memorials in George’s honor may be made to St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Oconomowoc or the charity of one’s choice.

A private family funeral service will be held at the Pederson-Nowatka Funeral Home with the Rev. Steven Pagels of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church Oconomowoc presiding.  Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Watertown.