Jacqueline “Jackie” D. (Sleeter) Smith age 95 passed away on Friday, December 14, 2018 at St. Clare Friedensheim. She was born December 8, 1923 in the family farmhouse near Fairchild, WI, the daughter of Fred and Rena (Barsness) Sleeter.
Jackie married Kenneth Smith on February 7, 1948 in Rockford, IL. Although they were high school sweethearts, they were at opposing schools. She was a cheerleader for Fairchild and he was a basketball player for Humbird. In March of 1942, Jackie skipped school to accompany Ken to Eau Claire where he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. After high school, she attended Business College in Rockford, IL. After the war, they moved to Monroe where Jackie oversaw a household of four active children and Ken began an appliance business with his army buddy, Ralph “Phil” Phillips. The two families remained partners for many years. In these latter years, Winn Phillips remained a good friend and a great loss to Jackie. As a teenager, Jackie enjoyed roller skating and singing in a trio with her sisters Eleanor and Donna Jean. Jackie was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ, a superb knitter, knitting sweaters for her newborn grandchildren and participating in knitting blankets and scarves for the needy. Jackie loved spending time with her Bridge Club and the Sans Souci Dance Club. She was a former Brownie Scout leader, school room-mother, Monroe Swim Team fan and champion golfer at Monroe Country Club. The family room was filled with her many golf trophies and awards. After every couple’s golf event, Ken’s buddies would always ask, “Did you beat her this time?” He never did! Ken and Jackie enjoyed many years together including trips to the Caribbean and traveling to Naples, FL area each winter, always with their golf clubs in tow.
Survivors include sons, Ronald K. (Rondi) Smith of Monroe; Kevin L. (Mary) Smith, of Marietta, Georgia; daughter, Sheryl A. (Jim) Kraft of Green Bay; eight grandchildren, Dana (Jeremy) Schmidt of Cottage Grove, Brad (Laura) Smith of Janesville; Rebecca (Jess) Smith of Alexandria, VA, Amanda (Tim) Sharkey of Marietta, GA, Erin (Matt) Reese of Chattanooga, TN; Andrew ( Dr. Colleen) Kraft of Decatur, GA, Jonathan (Lorrie) Kraft of Longmont, CO, Jordan (Hazel) Kraft of La Grange, IL; fourteen great grandchildren: Piper and Brayden Schmidt; Preston Smith; Landan, Logan and Emily Sharkey; Henry and Thomas Reese; Aidan, Caleb and Hudson Kraft; Allison and Ben Kraft; Jacinda Kraft; and three sisters-in-law: Joyce Smith of Monroe, Shirley Billerbeck of Osseo, WI; Mildred Byrnes of Merrillan, WI.
She was predeceased by her parents, husband, Ken, daughter Debra, two brothers George and Robert; three sisters, Eleanor, Donna Jean and Beverly.
Funeral Services will be held at 12:00PM NOON on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018 at SHRINER HAGER GOHLKE Funeral Home with Rev. Todd Hackman officiating. A private burial will be held after the service. Visitation will be held from 10:00AM until the time of service on Saturday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John’s United Church of Christ or Monroe Clinic Hospice. Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.
