Elaine Anna (Samuelson) Smiley
September 09, 1943 - December 09, 2011
Obituary
MAZOMANIE -Elaine Anna (Samuelson) Smiley, age 68, passed away on Friday, December 9, 2011. She was born on September 9, 1943, in Stanley, the daughter of Arthur and Joyce (Flora) Samuelson. A 1961 graduate of Stanley High School, Elaine married Tom Smiley on June 22, 1963 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church. She earned a Bachelors in Education and a Major in Voice at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1968 and a Masters in Music Education in 1994. Elaine taught music at Waunakee High School and several other area schools. She had a variety of interests including traveling, camping, watercolor painting and Norwegian genealogy. She sang in the Unkalung Choir, Gilda's Glee Club, Madison Opera Chorus, and the Song of Norway; directed the Capital Chordsmen, State Line Harmony Chorus, Yahara River Sweet Adeline Chorus, and was involved with Lutheran Outdoor Ministry Center in Oregon, IL. Elaine is survived by her loving husband, Tom; her daughters, Wendy (Alan) Matney of Alexandria, VA and Deanna (Michael) Gulliford of Minneapolis, MN; her grandchildren, Liam and Thomas Matney and Maxwell and Carson Gulliford; a sister, Sandra (Mark) Johnson of Jacksonville, Arkansas and a brother Dean (Barbara) Samuelson of Stanley. She was preceded in death by her parents. Funeral services will be held at ST. MARTINS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2427 Church Street, Cross Plains at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 13, with the Reverend Richard Lund presiding. Visitation will be at the church on Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and also on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be in East Side Cemetery in Stanley. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Martin’s Lutheran Church or to the East Side Cemetery.
Cemetery:
Burial will be in East Side Cemetery in Stanley.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Martin’s Lutheran Church or to the East Side Cemetery.
Visitation will be at the church on Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and also on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
Funeral services will be held at ST. MARTINS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2427 Church Street, Cross Plains at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 13, with the Reverend Richard Lund presiding.
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Dois Davis-Gaustad
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It was an honor to sing in a chorus directed by Elaine. Such a talented director and a kind and gentle person.
I have so many fond and fun memories of her.
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Ryan & Beth Wiles
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Thank you for fighting through your illness to visit FL twice in one year! Beth, the kids and I really enjoyed our last visit together with you and Uncle Tom. There are so many memories but our last visit will forever be my fondest. With love, Ryan.
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Trudi Ableidinger Leder
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Mrs. Smiley was my chorus teacher. She was smiley just like her name. Her class was always fun and positive. She boosted my confidence as a student. Many years later, we both ended up teaching at Prairie Elementary. She will be missed.
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Sandi and Mike Peterson
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Our deepest sympathy to your family.
Elaine was a wonderful, fun, exciting and loved her music which showed in the classroom. We are pround to have known her and trusted her with our children (Tonya and Todd) in high school going to New York to sing at Carnegie Hall. What a wonderful adventure and experience of music! We have helped chaperone and organize fund raisers with her. Her talents will be missed. You are in our prayers.
Mike and Sandi Peterson
Tonya Peterson Wagner
Todd Peterson