CLEO SMOOT
November 20, 1929 - June 13, 2025
Obituary
Born November 20,1929 to James Edward Crahen & Isabell Young.
Passed away June 13, 2025, at Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah.
Cleo graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1947 and graduated from Mercy School of Nursing in 1951.
She married Kenneth F. Mason April 7, 1951, together they raised two children, Michael and Patricia.
She was a registered nurse at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton in the OB/LD department for 30 years.
She married Wayne Lee “Nick” Smoot on April 22, 1980. They ran the Blue Wing Resort in Winneconne together until his death in 1996.
She then worked as an in-home care giver for Care Givers of Oshkosh until she was 84 years old, and then she finally retired and moved to Neenah to live closer to her family.
Cleo was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Winneconne Unit 364, Oshkosh Noon Optimists, Fox River Area Girl Scouts, Girl Scouts Alumni Troop.
Cleo was an artist that liked painting, hosting card parties with the girls, sewing, knitting, and flying (she got her private pilot's license in 1975). She enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She liked hosting craft parties and movie nights with friends and family and going out to eat.
Cleo had a great adventure taking a houseboat down the Mississippi River with the Girl Scouts. She liked camping, biking, and cross-country skiing.
She loved being a clown when the circus was in town for the Optimists fundraiser.
She is survived by her daughter Patricia (Clifton) Schommer of Neenah, granddaughter Christinna (Erik) Kersten of Menasha, and her loyal companion her dog Bonnie. Daughter-in-Law Elizabeth Mason of Neenah, granddaughter Michelle (Scott) Gartzke of DePere, grandson Paul (Melissa) Mason of Playa Vista, CA, grandson Jon (Alyssa) Mason of Neenah, granddaughter Laura Mason of Appleton. Great-grandchildren Alexi Kelbert, Paige Gartzke, Evan Gartzke, Riley Mason, Calvin Mason, Elliott Mason, Michael Mason, Luke Mason, Ella Mason. Sister Jacqueline Parish of Oshkosh, Sister-in-Law Carol Crahen of Oshkosh. Stepson Brian (Jill) Smoot of Neenah and Stepson Benjamin Smoot of Oshkosh. As well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
She is preceded in death by her father James Edward Crahen, Mother Isabell Crahen, her first husband Kenneth Mason, her son Michael Mason, her second husband Wayne Lee (Nick) Smoot, brother James Crahen Jr., sister Patricia Hanson, brother Larry Crahen.
The visitation will be Thursday June 19, 2025, 9:00am-11:00am. Wisconsin Nurses Honor Guard service will be at 11:00am and 11:15 American Legion Auxiliary Winneconne Unit 364 tribute and 11:20 service by Deacon Tom Gritton followed by interment at St. Margaret Cemetery, Neenah.