Viola Dorothy Smith

Viola Dorothy Smith, age 91 of Beaver Dam/Fox Lake and formerly of Randolph, died peacefully surrounded by her children at Hillside Manor in Beaver Dam on Saturday, June 23, 2012.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at Annunciation Catholic Church, 335 W. Green Street, Fox Lake, with Rev. Michael L. Wild officiating. A private family inurnment will be held at the Central Wis. Veterans Memorial Cemetery in King, WI.

Viola’s family will receive relatives and friends at the church on Wednesday beginning at 3 p.m. until the hour of services.

Memorials may be directed to Beaver Dam Community Hospital Lifeline, 707 S. University or Hillside Manor, 803 S. University, Beaver Dam, WI 53916 in care of the Activity Department.

Love you always and miss you mom and gma.

Vi’s family wishes to thank the staff at Hillside Manor and Hillside Hospice for their compassionate care during her stay.





Viola was born on April 22, 1921 in Randolph, the fourth of fourteen children to Frank and Emma (Heyer) Nelson. She graduated from Redgranite High School in 1939, and loved attending the annual reunions. Viola worked as a nanny and waitress, and during World War II she worked in defense manufacturing. On September 20, 1941, she was united in marriage to Myron Smith at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fox Lake. She worked hard beside her husband, managing their farm. They enjoyed camping, first with a tent, and later with a permanent spot at Lake George where Viola’s siblings also camped. Viola was a school cook for the Randolph School District for 25 years. After retiring, they moved to Wild Rose and enjoyed spending the winter months in Florida. In the retirement park where they resided, Viola was known as the “Cookie Lady” as she loved to bake sweet treats and share them with neighbors and friends. They also enjoyed traveling, trips to the casino, and bowling. Viola loved to do needlework and quilting. She spent hours at the quilting rack making beautiful handmade quilts for her family. Her love will always surround her family when they wrap themselves in those quilts or dry their dishes with the embroidered flour sack towels she made. Viola was a strong woman, believing faith would get her through anything. She was a member of Annunciation Catholic Church.

Viola will be sadly missed and mourned by her children, Larry (Shirley) Smith of Caledonia, IL, Randy Smith of Stevens Point, Mary Gloe of Beaver Dam, and Susan (Calvin) Fischer of Randolph, a daughter-in-law, Mary Ann Smith of Sun Prairie, grandchildren, Lee (Gloria) Smith, Patrick Smith, Jay (Susan) Smith; Angela (Ron) Ashlaw, Tricia (Ty) Eagleson; Dan Smith, Anna (friend Matt Hoppe) Smith; Ashley (friend Jeff Berg) Fischer; great-grandchildren, Nicholas Smith, Nicole Smith; Brandon Acker, Connor Smith, Nolan Smith; and McCray Eagleson. Further survivors include four sisters; Vera Erdman, Mildred Schultz, Myrtle Jean McDonald, Merry Ann Schindel and three brothers, Gilbert, Jerald, and Edward Nelson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Myron in 2005, her son Michael in 2009, a son-in-law Robert Gloe, and brothers, Vernon, Howard, Wilbert, Robert, Earl and Richard Nelson.



Randolph Community Funeral Home is assisting the family.