Obituary for Arlette Mae Smith (Young)
Arlette M. Smith (Young) of Oshkosh, WI was born to eternal life July 24, 2023, at the age of 85.
Arlette was born June 21, 1938, in Milwaukee, WI. Arlette grew up in Milwaukee with 3 sisters and a brother. As a young girl, she met the late Curtis R. Smith, whom she married on September 25, 1953. They were married for 68 years. They worked together building their family and a business in Milwaukee. Together they moved to Oshkosh in 1978 to pursue new opportunities.
Arlette was a devoted mother to their three sons, the proud grandmother of their 9 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 3 great, great grandchildren. Family was her greatest joy.
Arlette’s loving heart cared for so many over her lifetime. In addition to raising her own children, she cared for patients on the cardiac unit at St. Luke’s Hospital in Milwaukee as a CNA, she compassionately cared for dementia residents for over 20 years at Oshkosh Care Center, cared for many of her own grandchildren in their early years in her home before and after school, and in retirement guided elementary students at Jacob Shapiro Elementary School as only this very special grandmother could for 10 years as their lunch lady.
Her pride and joy, her whole heart was dedicated to caring, supporting and loving unconditionally her entire family, her friends, and neighbors. If you knew Arlette, known affectionately to all as Ma, you are her family. Her infectious and genuine smile was contagious, and her hugs were like no other. You felt her heart and all her love for you. Arlette was a kind and generous soul who believed the best gift she could give you was her faith and her prayers. Her immense love of the Lord, her daily devotions, and prayers, and unwavering faith sustained her to the very end.
Arlette is survived by her brother James (Sandy) Young of Florence, Alabama, her two sons Kevin (Julie) Smith, Craig (Wendy) Smith along with her dedicated and loving grandchildren Dana (Jason) Craig, Carly (Tim) McCormack, Dan (Ashley) Longsine, Chad (Katie) Smith, Amy Smith, Matt Smith, Meghan (Cody) Kopplin, Preston Smith, Abigail Smith, along with her amazing great and great great grandchildren, her Godson Brent Dillman and lifelong friends and family. Arlette was preceded in death by her parents James and Florence (Beyer) Young, her loving husband Curtis Smith, her loving son Curt Smith, and her sisters Carol Young, Joyce Matthews, and Corinne Mills.
Arlette’s family wishes to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the teams of dedicated and caring staff who provided care for her. Thank you to the team at Lakeland Care District especially Kirstin and Jennifer, The Residence Oshkosh, and Advocate Aurora Health Care ICU. Your compassion and support were so appreciated.
A prayer service and inurnment will be held on Thursday August 3, 2023, at 3:00 PM at Lake View Memorial Park Chapel, 2786 Algoma Blvd, Oshkosh, WI 54901. The family will receive friends and family from 1:00PM until the time of service.
For online condolences, please visit https://www.seefeldfuneral.com
Arlette was born June 21, 1938, in Milwaukee, WI. Arlette grew up in Milwaukee with 3 sisters and a brother. As a young girl, she met the late Curtis R. Smith, whom she married on September 25, 1953. They were married for 68 years. They worked together building their family and a business in Milwaukee. Together they moved to Oshkosh in 1978 to pursue new opportunities.
Arlette was a devoted mother to their three sons, the proud grandmother of their 9 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 3 great, great grandchildren. Family was her greatest joy.
Arlette’s loving heart cared for so many over her lifetime. In addition to raising her own children, she cared for patients on the cardiac unit at St. Luke’s Hospital in Milwaukee as a CNA, she compassionately cared for dementia residents for over 20 years at Oshkosh Care Center, cared for many of her own grandchildren in their early years in her home before and after school, and in retirement guided elementary students at Jacob Shapiro Elementary School as only this very special grandmother could for 10 years as their lunch lady.
Her pride and joy, her whole heart was dedicated to caring, supporting and loving unconditionally her entire family, her friends, and neighbors. If you knew Arlette, known affectionately to all as Ma, you are her family. Her infectious and genuine smile was contagious, and her hugs were like no other. You felt her heart and all her love for you. Arlette was a kind and generous soul who believed the best gift she could give you was her faith and her prayers. Her immense love of the Lord, her daily devotions, and prayers, and unwavering faith sustained her to the very end.
Arlette is survived by her brother James (Sandy) Young of Florence, Alabama, her two sons Kevin (Julie) Smith, Craig (Wendy) Smith along with her dedicated and loving grandchildren Dana (Jason) Craig, Carly (Tim) McCormack, Dan (Ashley) Longsine, Chad (Katie) Smith, Amy Smith, Matt Smith, Meghan (Cody) Kopplin, Preston Smith, Abigail Smith, along with her amazing great and great great grandchildren, her Godson Brent Dillman and lifelong friends and family. Arlette was preceded in death by her parents James and Florence (Beyer) Young, her loving husband Curtis Smith, her loving son Curt Smith, and her sisters Carol Young, Joyce Matthews, and Corinne Mills.
Arlette’s family wishes to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the teams of dedicated and caring staff who provided care for her. Thank you to the team at Lakeland Care District especially Kirstin and Jennifer, The Residence Oshkosh, and Advocate Aurora Health Care ICU. Your compassion and support were so appreciated.
A prayer service and inurnment will be held on Thursday August 3, 2023, at 3:00 PM at Lake View Memorial Park Chapel, 2786 Algoma Blvd, Oshkosh, WI 54901. The family will receive friends and family from 1:00PM until the time of service.
For online condolences, please visit https://www.seefeldfuneral.com