JAMES “JIM” W. SMOLA
AGE: 79
ADDRESS: W238 County Highway M, Rib Lake; Township of Greenwood Resident
PLACE, DATE & TIME OF DEATH: 11:45 A.M. Tuesday, July 28 at his residence
TIME & PLACE OF SERVICES: 11:00 A.M. Saturday, August 1 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Rib Lake
OFFICIATING: Rev. Joseph Dietrich
INTERMENT: St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery in the Township of Greenwood, Rib Lake where full military honors will be performed by the Rib Lake Military Honors Team
VISITATION: 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Friday, July 31 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Rib Lake and also from 9:00 A.M. until 10:45 A.M. Saturday, August 1 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Rib Lake
DATE & PLACE OF BIRTH: April 12, 1936 in the Township of Rietbrock, Marathon County
EDUCATION: Graduate of Rib Lake High School
MARRIAGE: May 28, 1960 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Rib Lake to Alice G. Scheithauer
PRINCIPAL EVENTS IN LIFE: Jim served in the U.S. Army from 1955-1959. After his return from the service Jim was a Heavy Equipment operator for various companies in the area for road construction for a number of years. They then owned a hobby farm in the Township of Greenwood and also owned and operated Smola Brother’s Logging with his brother, George and Smola Trucking until his retirement in 1998.Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, bowling, dartball and meeting with his friends to play cribbage. He loved being outdoors, nature and wildlife. Most of all Jim enjoyed being with his family and attending and watching his grandchildren’s events.
MEMBER OF: St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Rib Lake
Jim served on St. Peter’s Church Board, Township of Greenwood Board and Taylor Electric Board
SURVIVING SPOUSE: Alice G. Smola of Rib Lake
SURVIVING CHILDREN: Valerie (Joe) Sova of Medford, Linda (Chuck) Gelhaus of Medford, Daniel Smola of Rib Lake, Sharon (John) Johnas of Medford, Joanne (Monte) Loertscher of Medford, and James (Rachel) Smola of Stevens Point
CHILDREN DECEASED: Son: Ronald Joseph Smola on November 17, 1990
Grandson: Greggory Johnas in 1989
Son-In-Law: Randall Neumann in 1984
20 GRANDCHILDREN
11 GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN
SURVIVING BROTHERS/SISTERS: Lorraine (Frank) Lugo of Athens, George (Janet) Smola Jr. of Athens, Edward (Carla) Smola of Athens and Jill (Allen) Lekies of Athens
DECEASED FATHER: George Smola Sr.
DECEASED MOTHER: Clara E. Smola (Maiden Name: Kropp)
PALLBEARERS: Grandsons: Matthew Neumueller, Patrick and Gabriel Gelhaus, Blake Smola, Michael Johnas, Cole Loertscher and Ashton Smola
OTHER INFORMATION: In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the family to be designated at a later date. Hemer Funeral Homes of Medford and Rib Lake is assisting the family with arrangements
-For online condolences, please visit hemerfuneralservice.com
