Reverend Father Dennis Stephen Smith

"God of mercy and love, grant your servant and priest a glorious place at your heavenly banquet, for you made him here on earth a faithful minister of your word and sacrament.”

The Reverend Father Dennis Stephen Smith entered eternal life Wednesday, June 11, 2025, after 79 years of life, at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg, Wis. He was born on December 10, 1945, in Jacksonville, Fla., and baptized at St. Edward’s Chapel (U.S. Naval Air Base) in Jacksonville, Fla., on December 26, 1945.

After attending Saint Clement Parish Grade School in Lancaster, Wis., Father Smith completed his high school studies and general collegiate studies at Holy Cross Seminary, La Crosse, Wis. He completed his philosophical and theological studies at the Catholic University of America, Washington D.C. Father Smith continued studies at the Catholic University of America and earned a Master of Arts degree in 1969 and a Ph.D. in 1975. Father Smith was ordained to the sacred priesthood by The Most Reverend Cletus F. O’Donnell, Bishop of Madison, on June 16, 1973.

Father Smith began ministering in the Diocese of Madison as a Parochial Vicar at St. Patrick Parish, Madison, and then as a Parochial Vicar at St. Joseph Parish, Fort Atkinson, Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Madison, St. William Parish, Janesville, St. Bernard Parish, Middleton, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Madison, and Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish, Sun Prairie. Father Smith also served as chaplain at Madison General Hospital, Madison, (now UnityPoint Meriter Hospital). Father Smith ministered as pastor of Ss. Andrew and Thomas Parish, Tennyson-Potosi, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Cross Plains, and Christ the King Parish, McFarland (with a sister parish relationship with St. Benedict Parish in Tanzania), from which he retired as Pastor Emeritus. Father Smith also served in numerous roles for the Diocese of Madison, including on the Diocesan Cemetery Board, the Diocesan Board of Education, the Diocesan Services Appeal Board, the Presbyteral Council (including the Priest Health, Emmaus, and Ecumenical Committees), and as the Director of Cemeteries, the Ecumenical Representative and later as the Diocesan Ecumenical Officer, and the Dean of the West Dane Deanery.

Father Smith was known for his unique sense of humor and always had a story to tell or a song to sing. He loved to travel, including mission trips, a sabbatical in England where he studied at Oxford, and a visit to the Vatican where he met Pope John Paul II. He led and supported many outreach projects, and was especially proud of the Sister Parish Initiative at Christ the King with St. Benedict Parish in Tanzania, focusing on education to break the cycle of poverty. In his personal time, he found peace by relaxing at his cottage on the Mississippi River in Cassville, Wis. He was an avid reader and enjoyed spending time with his great-nieces and nephews.

Father Smith is survived by his nephew, Thomas (Christy) Fallon; nieces, Maureen (William) Keen, Susan Fallon and Katherine (Matthew) Fenski; his sister-in-law, Mary Jane Smith; brother-in-law, Thomas (Barbara) Fallon; and several great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Louis and Agnes (Demuth) Smith; his brother, Peter J. Smith; and his sister, Peggy Fallon.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at CHRIST THE KING CHURCH, 5306 Main St., McFarland, Wis., at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 23, 2025. The Most Reverend Donald J. Hying, Bishop of Madison, will celebrate the Holy Mass, with the Reverend Father Randy Budnar, Parochial Vicar of the parishes of St. Cletus Pastorate, Oregon-Stoughton, as homilist. A rosary service will be held at the church at 8:30 a.m. on Monday. A visitation will be held at the church from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 22, 2025, and also at the church from 9 a.m. until shortly before the time of the Funeral Mass on Monday. A luncheon will follow the Funeral Mass at the church hall at Christ the King Church. Private burial will take place at the family plot in Cassville, Wis.

Priests are invited to concelebrate the Holy Mass of Christian Burial. Please bring an alb (stole provided). Please celebrate three Masses for the repose of his soul and offer intercessory prayers in your parish.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ the King Church in McFarland and the Alzheimer’s Association.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420