Lucille "LuAnne" Anne Smith's Obituary
Mount Pleasant – Lucille “LuAnne” Smith (née Matsen), age 80, passed away unexpectedly with family by her side on May 11, 2025, at Aurora Medical Center in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin.
Born on July 11, 1944, in Racine, LuAnne was the cherished daughter of Elmer Peter and Lucille Isabel (née Ebert) Matsen. LuAnne lived a life rooted in love, hard work, and family.
On March 17, 1988, she married the love of her life, Mark S. Smith, in Las Vegas. Their marriage was filled with laughter, companionship, and countless shared adventures.
LuAnne was known for her strong work ethic and dedication. Over the years, she held several roles that reflected her leadership and entrepreneurial spirit. She worked as a manager at Speedway, ran the popular City Suds bar as owner and operator, and later retired from S.C. Johnson Wax after a rewarding 10-year career.
Outside of her professional life, LuAnne was a gifted and passionate homemaker whose hobbies reflected her creativity and love for nature. She delighted in crafting and sewing. Her green thumb was evident in her vibrant flower beds and her carefully tended organic vegetable gardens. She was an expert at canning and preserving the fruits of her labor, often sharing her homemade goods with family and friends.
A phenomenal cook and baker, LuAnne took great joy in hosting gatherings—her Fourth of July celebrations were legendary, filled with delicious food, laughter, and cherished memories. For over 20 years, one of her most treasured traditions was spending spring vacations in Florida, where she found joy surrounded by family, creating a lifetime of cherished memories.
LuAnne was an avid sports fan, cheering faithfully for the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Cubs. More importantly, she was a devoted and loving grandmother who took immense pride in her grandchildren, faithfully supporting them in all aspects of their lives, most notably cheering them on from the sidelines at countless sporting events and other special activities, where her unwavering presence and encouragement meant the world to them.
LuAnne found great joy and companionship in playing Bingo with her friends over the years, cherishing friendly competition, and lasting bonds. In quieter moments, she found peace in reading and relaxing outdoors on her backyard swing, listening to her favorite music and enjoying the simple beauty of nature.
LuAnne will be lovingly missed by her husband of 37 years, Mark Smith; children: Carrie (Richard) Mohon, Stacy (Steven) Thomas, Randall Christman, Michele (Daniel) Kroes, and Rodney (Jessica) Christman; grandchildren: Nick (Caro) Mohon, Shaun (JaShay) Mohon, Ryan Mohon, Terrell (Shawn) Bowers, Luke (Karly) Britto, Chase Christman, Connor (Mariah) Christman, Crystal (Richard “Ricky”) Pirk, Curtis Waldron, Cameron Waldron, Edward Hardt, Brenden Hardt, and Amanda Hardt; 11 great-grandchildren with a twelfth joyfully anticipated; siblings: Jerrie Howard, Pat (George) Davidson, Paul Matsen, Richard “Dick” (Rose) Matsen; sisters-in-law: Sarah Matsen, Linda Matsen, and Karen Maren; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
LuAnne was preceded in death by brothers: Jack (Helen) Matsen, Elmer “Butch” Matsen, Robert “Bob” Matsen, and Morris Matsen, also a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Patricia Matsen and Edward Howard.
A celebration of LuAnne’s life will be held at the Wilson Funeral Home, 1212 Lathrop Avenue, Racine, WI 53405, on Friday, May 16, 2025, with public visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. until the ceremony at 12:00 p.m. A private interment will be held at Calvary Cemetery..
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks to donate to the American Heart Association, 275 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 230, Milwaukee, WI 53203 or online at https://www.heart.org/en/affiliates/wisconsin.
LuAnne’s warmth, generosity, and vibrant spirit touched everyone who knew her. Her presence will be deeply missed but lovingly remembered by all whose lives she graced.
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