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Martha F. Smith, age 99, of New Richmond, WI, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at Legacy Pines Assisted Living in New Richmond. She was born on May 18, 1926, to Oscar and Ida Olien. A lifelong resident of New Richmond, Martha married Howard W. “Billy” Smith in 1947. She and her husband opened Billy’s Body Shop in 1956, retiring in 1988.
Martha was preceded in death by her husband Bill, their son Steve, her parents, sister Ida, brothers Marvin, Alfred, Oscar, and spouses. She is survived by son, Jeff (Anne) of Baraboo, WI, and daughter, Susan (Joplin, MO), daughter-in-law, Sue of Wausau, WI, grandson, Jack (Nicole) and great grandsons, Liam and Fynn, of Schofield, WI, granddaughter, Colleen (Bill) Balco and great granddaughter, Kaelin, of Oak Creek, WI, and many nieces and nephews.
Blessed with a beautiful soprano voice, Martha sang for many weddings and funerals as well as being a longtime member of the First Lutheran Church choir. A devoted caregiver, Martha was a lovely, loving mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, neighbor, and friend.
A Celebration of Martha’s Life will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 11 am at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services 728 S Knowles Avenue New Richmond, WI. Visitation will also be on Saturday from 10-11 am. Interment will be in New Richmond Cemetery. Food and fellowship will follow interment at the funeral home. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
5 Comments
I enjoyed accompanying Martha for several funerals. She had such a beautiful voice. And I was blessed to visit her at Legacy Pines. What a sweet lady with a big smile.
Thank you so much, Kathy. I think you played for me, too!
Aunt Tootie as we all knew her, is remembered for her beautiful singing voice both in the choir and a soloist at First Lutheran Church for decades as well as her wonderful sense of humor.
She was an intelligent woman who always placed family first. I will never forget she turned out for my father’s funeral in 2002 on a bitterly cold January day. She did the same for my mother in 2013 even though she had just suffered the loss of her beloved son Steve.
Aunt “Tootie” loved her family! Your remembrances of her are a wonderful tribute. Thank you, David.
I grew up in New Richmond and lived just down the street from the Smith’s. They were a very nice family and Steve and I were classmates. Years later, when I worked for a bank in Medford, WI, Steve stopped in often as we were a client of the company he worked for. They were always enjoyable visits as we caught up on New Richmond.
Martha had a beautiful voice as others have mentioned. I’m sure she must be the last of that generation of neighbors and I’m glad she had a long, happy life.
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