Eugenia M. Smith

McFarland/Stoughton…Eugenia (Geni) Smith of McFarland left this life Saturday, June 12th 2010 from an unexpected heart attack at Skaalen Retirement Home in Stoughton. Geni had made her home at Skaalen for the past four years. She was born August 20, 1921 in the Rhinelander area of Northern Wisconsin, the only child of Verone and Clifford Duenk. Her early school life was unusual. Because her parents owned Shady Rest Resort, she attended Rhinelander schools during the months the resort was open, then traveled with them to Bradenton Beach, FL, where she attended school during the winter months. Her days at the resort were filled with learning, from the work she did in the kitchen, cooking, cleaning, visiting with guests from all over the country, to sewing and even cleaning fish. She was also an active participant in her Bradenton Beach experience and was named Miss Bradenton Beach as a high school senior. Geni’s parents hired extra summer help and Geni found one of the summer workers especially intriguing. His name was Vernon Smith. They fell in Love and married in October of 1941. While Vern served his country in the Air Force, Geni attended Stout University. Later both Vern and Geni attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison where she earned a Bachelors degree in what was then called Home Economics. During these post-college years, Vern and Geni were well known for their baking and design of fantastic wedding cakes, using their hobbies and skills gained from past work and school experiences. Costume Design was a special gift, and as a charter member of Madison Theater Guild, Geni was able to use her skills with sewing, art and design to clothe many actors in the Madison Theater over the years. Additionally, she designed and made costumes for the movie,” The Immigrants”. After moving to McFarland, she continued using her skills with Director, Gene Olson and Academy D of McFarland High School. This drama group received high praise for skilled acting, as well as Geni’s wonderful costumes and sets. She touched the lives of many of these young actors and continued to talk about them as “her kids” until her death. Geni made the transition from costumes and drama, continuing to use her artistic skills in the design and making of her famous quilts. She traveled each year to KY, to the National Quilt Show. Among her favorites were the quilts she made for each of her six Grandchildren… some made from their favorite T-Shirts. She won first place at Stoughton’s Syttende Mai contest with her free-design poppy quilt. Her grandchildren also loved the hand-sewn Christmas ornaments Geni made for them, especially “The Nutcracker” characters. Her understanding of history and vision for the future played itself out in other Christmas gifts. A twelve year old grandchild might receive a hand-made Christmas tree skirt…not fully appreciating it the year it was given, but now a prized possession. Gardening on the farm, with people stopping on Holscher Road to view her lush flowers, gave her much pride. She loved working outside and shared flower bulbs with those who asked. Her love of the outdoors included daily Power walks and her walking exercise continued at Skaalen, where she was not always known by name but by “the lady who walks”. Her continued involvement with the University as a member of the Women’s Health Initiative was the impetus for exercise as a way to stay healthy. She also loved bowling and in years past, often walked to Spartan Bowl in McFarland from their farm. Not only did she bowl, but also cleaned, decorated and cooked; helping her son, who owned the business. She also loved helping her daughter with horse shows /competitions and accompanied her to many throughout the years. Halloween was an exciting time, as she would sew the best costumes for her Grandchildren. While living at the Skaalen Home, she was able to continue her love of the outdoors by having a bird and squirrel feeder just outside her window. She especially loved cardinals and chickadees and those funny fuzzy-tails. She always talked about the latest antics of those creatures when one visited. Her room was decorated with quilts and cardinals and there was always room for one more figurine or picture if it included squirrels or birds. The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful care and compassion of the Unit 1 staff, PT/ Aquatics department, the Activity leaders, the shopping / lunch bunch and especially the cookie bakers at Skaalen! Geni and Vern raised four children. Craig (family: Pat, Shawn, Tia, Gary and Tyler); Carter (family: Deborah, Scott, Morgan, Grant); Terryl (family: Tom and Brock); Kevin, (family: Peggy, Abbey, Gwen). Preceding Eugenia in death were her husband, Vernon, in 2007, and her parents. At Geni’s request, there will be a family gathering to celebrate her life. Although she loved flowers, she requested any memorials be sent to The McFarland Education Foundation, Farwell Street, McFarland, WI 53558. A scholarship will be established in her name at McFarland High School where she devoted so much of her time, love and talent. All Faiths Funeral Home assisted the family with the arrangements.