Luanne Smith

Madison - Luanne (Lu) Smith, age 77, passed away on December 18, 2014 at the Heritage Monona Senior Living Center surrounded by her children. She was born on July 1, 1937 in Menasha and was the daughter of Edward and Alma (Brantmeier) Russert.

Lu married Richard (Dick) Verhagen on August 11, 1956 and had five children: Jeffrey (Cyndy) Verhagen (Port Washington), Shea Verhagen (Marshall), twin daughters, Tracy (John) Ackley (DeForest), Stacie Buskov (Sun Prairie), and Martin (Dawn) Verhagen (Oregon). Her brother, Robert Russert and nephews, Earl, Billy, and Bobby Russert had passed before her. She is also survived by sister-in-law, Karri Russert; and nephew, Eddie Russert.

She then married her second husband, Edgar Smith, in October of 1981. Ed passed away in September of 2004.

Lu lived to see her nine grandchildren and two great grandsons.
She retired after 26 and half years with Madison United Health Care Linen. Her favorite past time hobbies were painting pottery, playing scrabble with her children and grandchildren, crossword puzzles, watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, listening to romantic music from her era, and most recently, Josh Groban. She looked forward to Saturday night mass at Saint Bernard Catholic Church in Madison, Saint Mary of the Nativity Parish in Marshall, and Saint Joseph Parish in Waterloo.

Our family would like to personally thank the staff members of the Heritage Monona Senior Living Center where mother lived for the past 10 months. They were wonderful, caring, and often told us how sweet and soft spoken she was. We are grateful for how much they enjoyed caring for our mother. We would also like to thank the Heartland Hospice staff for all they have done for our mother and our family during these past several months.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 from 9:30am until 10:30am. This will be located at Saint Bernard Catholic Church at 2450 Atwood Avenue, Madison, WI 53704. Funeral services will follow after the visitation as well as lunch. Please visit informedchoicefunerals.com to share your memories.

Mom, we will miss your cute sense of humor and sweet conversations, you are now free to walk with the Angels.