DENNIS SMITH

Dennis L. Smith, age 85 of Neenah, passed away late Friday, March 1, 2024. He was born August 27, 1938 to the late Carroll and Thelma (Reierson) Smith on the family farm in Helvetia, WI, a place he loved. On June 5, 1962, Dennis married  Sandra Mentzel and the two blended their families.

Dennis was a graduate of Iola High School and was a member of the Iola Ski Jumping team. He was also a talented water-skier. Dennis worked for 39 years in different capacities at Kimberly-Clark, starting at 18 years old and retiring at 56 years old. He also painted houses on the side, making sure to provide for his large family. In his retirement, Dennis was able to enjoy many trips with Sandy, and a couple of trips with their children, to Mexico. He also loved fishing in Canada and has been a longtime member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Neenah.

Dennis will be remembered as a very funny man who always had a joke to tell. He loved a good one-liner and left everyone he met with a smile. He was also a man of many names, known lovingly to his family as, “Skipper,” “Silver Fox,” and “Disco Denny,” as he and his bride, “Side-step Sandy” enjoyed dancing. Dennis also enjoyed the outdoors, deer hunting, fishing, or just spending time at his trailer, riding the four-wheelers on the family's land in Iola.

Dennis is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sandy; children: Jeff (Sue) Smith; Denise (Steve) Graverson; Bryan (Linda) Smith; stepchildren: Bill (Barb) Wingen; Ann Keesler; Kathy (Larry) Ciske; and Penny (Ron) Dabill. He is further survived by his grandchildren: Mikk and Tara Graverson; Alexi (Ryan) Smith; and Amie (Jacob) McChrystal; step-grandchildren: Marc (Sarah) Keesler; Jake (Tara) Keesler; Will Keesler; Aimee Ciske; John Ciske; Chris Dabill; Josh Dabill; Amanda (Zack) Baehman; Cassie Mielke; and Amy Keesler; and great-grandchildren: Addison, Coleman, Bradford, Alayna, Carly, and Natalie; as well as by his sister, Nancy Holland; and brother, Peter (Sarah) Smith; and his nieces and nephews. Dennis was preceded in death by his step-grandson, Mike Keesler, and brother-in-law, John Holland.

A celebration of Dennis's life will be held at a later date.