Herman W. Smith

MADISON  /  PORTAGE  -- Herman W. Smith, age 92, of Madison, formerly of Portage, passed away on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at Nazareth in Stoughton.

He was born on June 16, 1917 in the Township of Rockbridge, Richland County, Wisconsin, the sixth of Charles and Iola (Peckham) Smith’s 10 children.  He graduated from Ithaca High School in the class of 1935.  From 1935 through 1939, he served in the Civilian Conservation Corps, (CCC) at Wyalusing and Platteville as a Company Baker.  He then worked as a Baker at Zahn’s Bakery in Columbus, Wisconsin from 1940 to 1942.  Herman was inducted into the 844th Bomb Squadron 489th Bomb Group in 1942 as a Cook and Baker.  He served in the European Theater of Operation during World War II, and was honorably discharged from duty as Sergeant in the Army of the United States in 1945.  He returned to work in Portage at a local bakery.  In 1957, he and his wife purchased this bakery and operated it as “Smith’s Home Bakery” for 27 years.  After his retirement and sale of the bakery, he continued working in local bakeries until his 82nd birthday.  His last baking being done at the Pick and Save on the North side of Portage.  Herman and Elaine were longtime members of Caledonia Presbyterian Church, where they were blessed with many loving relationships.  Herman was ordained an Elder at the Caledonia United Presbyterian Church.  Herman particularly enjoyed being a left-handed baseball pitcher and basketball player in his youth along with card playing (Euchre) and golf later in life.

He married Elaine M. Baird on her 22nd birthday, March 28, 1942.  Elaine and Herman enjoyed traveling and spent time in Scotland;  they also took a bakery tour in Europe, Hawaii, the Holy Land, Egypt and Greece.  They were involved in Bakery Conventions in the U.S.  Herman and Elaine were avid gardeners, but most of all, enjoyed their family with their gift of faith and unconditional love and value of each person.  After Elaine’s passing in 1999, Herman was reunited with his high school sweetheart, Ruth Peckham in 2001.  This relationship was also a model of happiness, support and love late in life. 

Survivors include his children, Sandra (Kenneth) Hutler, Portage, and Michael J. (Mary Ellen) Smith, Madison;  grandchildren, Michele (Brian) Storms, Cottage Grove, Marc Smith, Algonquin, Illinois, Craig Hutler, Chicago, Illinois, and Lisa Hutler, Portage;  great-grandchildren, Ashley Ellen, Grace Michele and Eric Michael Storms, and Makena Caroline and Trevor Thomas Smith;  step-daughters, Lillian (Ken) Zemlicka and daughter, Lauren, Shorewood, and Carolyn Peckham and her husband, Gerald Kluge, Brooklyn;  a brother, John A. (Doris) Smith, Richland Center;  a sister, Virginia I. (Ken) Johnson, Palm Desert, California;  loving nieces, nephews and other family, as well as many dear friends.  Herman was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine, second wife, Ruth, his parents, his brothers, Leslie and Charles, and sisters, Mattie, Josephine, Ida, Marion and Carolyn.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 20, 2009 at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Portage, with the Rev. Alan Boeck officiating.  Inurnment will be held at a later date.  Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Sunday at the church. 

Herman’s family would like to extend our appreciation for the friendship and support offered Herman at Meadowmere in Madison and Nazareth in Stoughton.  A special thanks to his last Euchre partner, Jerry Anderson of Nazareth.

The Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.  www.pmmfh.com