ALFRED “AL” E. SMITH
Alfred “Al” E. Smith passed away August 25th, 2016, at Dove Healthcare West in Eau Claire.
He was born June 3rd, 1938 on the family farm in Wheeler, WI to Thorvald and Clara (Holte) Smith.
Al graduated from Colfax High School in 1956. When he was 12 years old, he spotted a young girl named Carol Hembrook, while working for her dad, whom he told “I’m going to marry that girl someday!” Seven years later they did, on October 25, 1957. Together they had three children, Matthew, Phillip, and Marylane. Carol had many health issues over the years, and Al took amazing care of her. She preceded him in death on January 4th, 2016.
Al worked several different jobs over the years, including Oak Park Dairy, Land O’Lakes, the longest was for Sears. He worked there for 23 years selling large appliances. After “retiring” from there he also worked for Eau Claire School Board doing custodial work. He was also very talented at restoring furniture, and had a side business Expert Furniture Refinishing for over 20 years.
Al will be sadly missed by sons Matthew, and Phillip (Marjorie) Smith, daughter Marylane (Sean) Murphy. Grandchildren Eric (Nicole) Smith, Kristina Smith, Brandon (Sara Nemec) O’Connell, Brittany (Tim Xiong) O’Connell. Great granddaughters Hayden Marie Smith, Adalyn Xiong, and great grandson Evan Xiong. Brother Juel (Kathy) Smith, sisters Jeanette Schwab, Thelma Waterhouse, and Leitha Swanson. Sister in law Rhoda (Les) Haight, brother in law John Turgeson, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, mother and father in law Virgil and Lenore Hembrook, wife Carol, brothers Roger, Steven, and Curtis. Sisters in law, Cindy Turgeson, Janice Smith, Betty Smith, Brothers in law, Delmar Swanson, Norman Schwab, and Norman Waterhouse and Great grandbaby Aaron Smith.
Funeral services will take place at 11 am on Friday, September 2, 2016 at Eau Claire Wesleyan Church, 2405 Keith Street, Eau Claire, WI 54701 with Pastor Damien Gula officiating. Visitation will take place at Fuller Speckien Hulke Funeral Home on Thursday, September 1, 2016 from 4-7 pm and at the church Friday morning an hour prior to the service. Burial will take place in the Lakeview Cemetery in Eau Claire immediately following the funeral service.
Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.fullerspeckienhulke.com.
Fuller Speckien Hulke Funeral Home, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements.