Margaret Mary Smecko

MONONA – Margaret M. Smecko, age 91, of Monona, passed away at her home on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on June 9, 1921, in New Brighton, MN, the daughter of Ignatius and Agnes (Paytal) Indykiewicz. She was united in marriage to Joseph A. Smecko on September 18, 1944, in Ephrata, Washington, where Joseph was stationed in the Army Air Force. Margaret worked as a welder “Rosie the Riveter” in the shipyards during World War II in Portland, Oregon. After they were married they moved to the Madison area in 1945, and had made Monona their home for 58 years. She was a homemaker and provided childcare in her home when her children were young. She touched the hearts of the many children she cared for, some having kept in contact with her for many years. After her children were older she worked for Bavaria Sausage Kitchen, where she retired in 1987. Margaret was a loving and giving Grandmother. Her grandchildren were everything in the world to her, and brought her great joy. She enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, slot machines, her trips to Las Vegas, and Packer Sundays. The joy she brought you each day when you were with her will be surely missed by her family and friends. Margaret was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church since 1954. She is survived by her children, James (Marcia) Smecko of Monona, John (Marta) Smecko of Janesville, Jeffrey (Jean) Smecko of Madison, Jeanne (Daniel) Jones of McFarland; a daughter-in-law, Rita Smecko of McFarland; twelve grandchildren, Amie (Andy) Buecker of California, Stephanie, Jennifer and Lindsey Smecko of Monona, Johnny, Philip, Joey and Olivia Smecko of Janesville, Katelyn Smecko of Madison, Nicholas, Daniel and Valerie Jones of McFarland; and two great grandchildren, Layla and Liam Buecker of California. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph A. in 1993; a son, Joseph R. in 1992; her parents, Ignatius and Agnes Indykiewicz; her brothers, Paul and George Indykiewicz; and her sister, Julia Kilbourn. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013, with Father Bart Timmerman presiding. Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Park. A visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, where a rosary will be recited at 3:30 p.m. A visitation will also be held at the church from 10:30 a.m. until the time of Mass on Wednesday. It broke our hearts to lose you but you did not go alone. A part of us went with you, the day God took you home. If tears could build a stairway, and heartaches make a lane, we’d walk our way to heaven, and bring you back again. In life we loved you dearly, in death we love you still, in our hearts you hold a place no one could ever fill. Cemetery: Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. Vistation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, and also at the church from 10:30 a.m. until the time of Mass on Wednesday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013.