Glenn Smith

Glenn Colin Smith of Chippewa Falls, WI passed away in his home on Thursday, April 3rd 2025. He was 82 years old.

Glenn, son of Grace and Lyndon Smith, was born on March 21, 1943 in Spooner, WI. He

graduated from Spooner High School in 1961, and then went on to college at UW Superior, where he got his teaching degree. That led him to the Fall Creek School District as a math teacher for several years. After teaching, the bulk of his career was spent with Bourget Insurance Agency in Eau Claire. His last working years were with Kobussen Buses, where he drove motor coach, allowing him to travel throughout the U.S.

In October 1972 he would marry Sharon Dean Fisher, and eventually had two children, Brian Taylor Smith and Andrea Kay Smith. Being a responsible new parent, he soon gave up riding motorcycle. This passion would come back in his later years, riding into his 70's.

The vast majority of his recreational hobbies however, involved those without an engine.

Sailing, x-country skiing, and most notably canoeing gave him great joy. The Namekagon River was a place he would frequent and share with others for his entire adult life.

The most defining characteristic of Glenn was his sociability, something he certainly inherited from his mother. He was never afraid to strike up a conversation with strangers, nor hesitant to ask one to help take a picture for him-much to the embarrassment of his kids. Activities like bowling, roller skating, dancing, and especially playing cards all allowed him to become acquainted with so many people. He was a fixture at the Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls senior center cribbage tournaments, with the sound of his manual card shuffler broadcasting his presence. He never left home without a cribbage board!

In addition to his gregarious nature, sports fanatic was another way you'd describe him. It was a constant in his life from beginning to end. He LOVED baseball, playing it in high school, then following the Milwaukee Braves and later the Brewers. As a young father, he made time to hit fly balls and pitch to his kids and others in the neighborhood. He was also a lifelong follower of the Packers and Bucks. If you talked with Glenn long enough, sports was bound to come up.

Lastly, another consistent theme in Glenn's life was music. His father brought him up on artists like Willie Nelson, Marty Robbins and Chet Atkins, but none stood taller than Merle Haggard.

The smooth baritone voice of Merle resonated wherever and whenever Glenn had an

opportunity to play a tune.

Above all else though, he was the most caring father one could ask for. He was proud to know that he raised his kids to be good, responsible people. A close friend of his, after his passing, said they had never known a man who loved his children as much as he did. Glenn will be sorely missed.

Glenn was preceded in death by his mom and dad, and leaves behind his younger sister Joyce Schancer(Pete Schobert) of Trego; his two children, Brian Smith of Eau Claire; Andrea Smith Longbranch, WA.

A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, April 17, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stokes, Prock & Mundt Funeral Chapel, 535 S. Hillcrest Parkway, Altoona. There will be a service at 5:00 p.m.

Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.cremationsociety-wi.com.