Eileen Smart

Eileen Smart passed away on Saturday, October 21, 2017 after a courageous fight with cancer.  She did achieve her goal of attending her daughter, Melanie’s, wedding and her 60th wedding anniversary celebration in Disney on October 5, 2017.  She enjoyed the special touches her daughter, Dawn, did for the 60th celebration.  She also was able to see her son, Ken, happy and with a wonderful caring woman, Judy Parker, who help care for Eileen in her final days.

Cancer had robbed her of so much she had planned to do this summer that it was a blessing she was able to make the trip to Disney.  She was an amazing woman with a grace and strength not seen in many people.  She loved her family and always put them first, and even kept fighting the cancer long after many would have quit, because she was worried about her children, husband, and her siblings.  All she wanted for her children were to be happy, loved and appreciated for who they are.

Eileen was born and raised in Colby, Wisconsin.  She had two brothers, James Nipko and Richard Nipko and a sister, Marilee Dekarske.  Marilee was a big help to her sister and Eileen’s family, helping to care for her in her final months.

On October 5, 1957 she married Grant Smart and they moved to Wausau, Wisconsin.  They had three children, Kenneth Smart, Dawn Larsen, and Melanie (Smart) Poetker.  She was an amazing wife and mother, and she made every holiday and birthday special.  Even when she was in the hospital recovering from sepsis she made sure to send her grandchildren and great-grandchildren birthday cards.

Eileen enjoyed traveling to Disney at least once a year, but did not like to fly so she and her husband drove.  Grant did not like driving but he loved his wife so they drove.  Even this last time they drove down, with some help from their son, Ken.

When not traveling to Disney, Eileen and Grant would enjoy taking weekend trips, trips up north to their condo, and other long driving trips.

Eileen did enter the work force when her youngest was 16.  She started at J.C. Penny’s and was quickly promoted to manager.  She retired from Penny’s opening her own women’s clothing store, which she eventually retired from, as she wanted to once again have time to enjoy Christmas, and her family missed her Christmas baking.  After a few months of retirement she went back to work part time as an administrative assistant in real estate.

She left a positive footprint on those who lives she touched and she is greatly missed by her family and friends.

She is survived by her husband, brothers and sister, children, sons-in-law Mike Larsen and Chris Poetker, sisters-in-law, Patty Nipko and Kay Nipko, grandchildren, Karen and Alex Collins, Kevin and Ashley Smart, Krystal and Brian Hildebrant, Karsarah Smart, Kory Smart, Katilyn Smart, Scott Larsen, Jessie and Lindsay Larsen, Kyle Larsen, and Thomas Poetker, and by seven great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be on Friday October 27, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Highland Community Church, Wausau, WI, with the funeral to follow at 11:00 a.m. and a luncheon at 12:00 p.m.

You may sign the family guestbook at www.helke.com.

If you would like to make a donation in Eileen’s name please make them to New Life Pet Adoption Center, Marathon, WI.