Roger L. Smith

Roger L. Smith, 75, Weston, died Sunday, May 15, 2016. Roger was born May 29, 1940 in Wausau, son of the late Louis and Adelia (Schmidt) Smith. On April 20, 1963 he married Marilynn Putzbach at St. Mary Catholic Church, Wausau. She survives. Roger was a 1959 graduate of Wausau Senior High School. In his early years he worked at Piggly Wiggly in Schofield, WI and at Gilbert's Body Shop in Wausau. His auto body skills were no doubt helpful for his stock car racing hobby, in which he participated in the early 1960's with his car "Old Number 8". Roger met his wife Marilynn on a summer day in 1962. One ride in a red convertible turned into a marriage of 53 years. They spent many happy years together sharing their love of traveling, the outdoors and projects. Roger could build or fix anything and leaves behind a legacy of his handiwork. His interest in building things led Roger to becoming a draftsman and to the American Can paper mill in Rothschild, WI, which became Weyerhaeuser. He ended his career as Head Buyer at Weyerhaeuser with 37 years at the company. Rogers's greatest joy came from being "Up North" at the cottage on Skunk Lake in Hazelhurst, WI. Roger and Marilynn spent over 40 years on the lake, enjoying hunting, fishing and good times with family. He enjoyed passing that tradition down to his children and grandchildren. Roger appreciated the simple times at the cottage, watching the animals that visited and listening to the loons on the lake. Survivors include his wife, Marilynn, Weston; daughters, Carla (Mark) Rhyner, Kronenwetter and Brenda (Eric) Anderson, Oshkosh; granddaughter, Madeline Anderson; grandsons, Nathan and Brent Rhyner; great-grandson, Tyler Rhyner. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Ronald Smith. Visitation will be Wednesday, May 25, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 pm at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau. Services to follow at 3:00 pm, at the Sixth Street funeral home. Rev. William Grevatch will officiate. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Wausau. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com