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Obituary: Anna Mae Smith

April 19, 1923 – Sept. 28, 2019

Anna Mae Smith, 96, formerly of Institute, died and was reunited with her husband, Ralph (one day after their 74th wedding anniversary), at the Pete and Jelaine Horton Skilled Nursing and Hospice Care Center in Sturgeon Bay.

She was born in Menominee, Michigan, the daughter of William “Fus” John Schartner Sr. and Evelyn Katherine (Stoffels) Schartner. Anna Mae grew up attending Saints Peter and Paul Parish and School in Institute. She graduated from Sevastopol High School in 1942 and then went to work as a secretary for Leathem D. Smith Shipbuilding Company in Sturgeon Bay. Anna Mae was united in marriage to Ralph Maurice Smith on September 27, 1945, at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church. 

She raised her family and went back to work later in life as sales clerk at Bunda’s Deerskin Court and then Malvetz Furniture, both in Sturgeon Bay. She and Ralph were blessed with nearly 69 years of marriage together. Ralph died May 25, 2014. 

Faith and family were most important in Anna Mae’s life. She was a lifelong member of Saints Peter and Paul Parish and the Christian Mothers there. She enjoyed volunteering at school when her children were younger, and she loved taking care of her grandchildren. 

Anna Mae’s love will live on in the hearts of her three children, Richard Smith of the Town of Sevastopol, Mary Van Den Bogart of Sturgeon Bay, and Timothy (Kelly McDougall-Smith) Smith of the Town of Sevastopol; six grandchildren, Mike Smith and Pat (Nita Hill) Smith, Tami (Craig) Davis and Cory (Cheri) Van Den Bogart, and Cassidy (Eric) Minten and Dylan (friend, Tori Sims) Smith; seven great-grandchildren, Corbin and Adeline, Courtney, Michael, and Clarissa, and Kaile and Nicole; brother, William (Leanne) Schartner Jr.; brother-in-law, Clyde Smith; other relatives; her Skilled Nursing Facility family; and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; three children, Catherine, Thomas, and Daniel; son-in-law, Larry Van Den Bogart; granddaughter, Stacey Green; sister, Elizabeth “Betty” (Harold) Schopf; siblings-in-law, Bruce (Gladys) Smith and Mary “Jinx” Smith; and other relatives. 

Anna Mae’s life will be honored with a mass of Christian burial celebrated at 12 pm on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Institute, with Fr. Robert Stegmann as celebrant. Anna Mae will be laid to rest in the church cemetery beside her husband, Ralph.

The rosary will be prayed at the church Oct. 2 at 9:40 am, with visitation to continue, 10-11:45 am.

Memorials may be given in Anna Mae’s name to Saints Peter and Paul Parish or the Pete and Jelaine Horton Skilled Nursing and Hospice Care Center (c/o Door County Medical Center Foundation). 

“Our family would like thank the entire Skilled Nursing Facility staff for wonderful care given to our mother the last six years and also to the Unity Hospice staff for their care given this past month.” 

Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay is assisting the Smith family. Expression of sympathy, memories and photos of Anna Mae can be shared through her tribute page at huehnsfuneralhome.com. 


DONATIONS MAY BE MADE TO:

Saints Peter and Paul Parish
4767 Dunn Road, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Tel: 920-743-4842

When donating directly to the church, mention Anna Mae Smith in the memo line and whether funds should be used for any specific cause or effort within the church.

Pete and Jelaine Skilled Nursing and Hospice Care Center
c/o Door County Medical Center Foundation
323 S. 18th Ave., Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Tel: 920-746-1071
Web: dcmedical.org/giving

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