Kenneth S. Smitala

Kenneth Smitala Sr., born on July 20, 1928 in Waukegan, Illinois, to Sophie (Drinka) and Stephen Smitala, passed away at age 89 on May 11, 2018 at Mount View Care Center in Wausau, Wisconsin. Kenneth graduated from Waukegan High School in 1946 and then served in the US Army in Korea until 1948. He was the beloved husband of Monique (Nikki) (St. Martin); former husband of the late Joan (Dudink). He is survived by his daughters, Cynthia (Richard) Higley, Christine, and Julie (Mike) Jadrich; sons, Stephen (Donna), Kenneth Jr. (Margaret), Paul (Lori), Thomas, and Todd (Claudio, Agnaldo); sister, Phyllis Greene; 16 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing, golf, spending time on the lake, and keeping his family and friends busy and entertained with wacky, elaborate projects. He was a member of the American Legion and Minocqua Lions Club. Memorials preferred to the Wisconsin Parkinson Association or the American Macular Degeneration Foundation. Special thanks to the staff at the Wausau area hospitals and care centers for all of their kind and compassionate care. There will be private family services.