Delores Smrz

Delores Virginia (nee Becker) Smrz, age 95 of Montello passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, October 22, 2023.  Delores was born in Milwaukee on October 13, 1928 to Edward and Laura (Burneski) Gonia.  She went to school in Milwaukee and moved to Oshkosh on June 14, 1942.  She married Leo Becker on March 9, 1946 in Oshkosh and together they had five children; Leo passed away on February 2, 1975 in Wild Rose and is buried at Badger Cemetery.  On June 25, 1977, Delores married Leo Smrz at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Custer; he preceded her in death on February 3, 1998.  In 1999, she moved to Montello and became an active member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church until her health declined.  She was involved in giving the children of religious classes a Christmas Party and made over 180 prayer shawls in one year for sick people as a member of St. Ann’s CCW.  Delores enjoyed crocheting and collecting salt n’ pepper shakers and stamps. 

Delores is survived by two children: Sandi Fuller of Wisconsin Rapids and Barbara Becker of Elroy as well as two granddaughters: Carley Ann and Jana Lee (JD).  She is also survived by great-grandchildren: Andrew, Alex, Clara and Ada as well as her sisters: Mary Ann Wilkins and Sister Henritta. 

Delores is preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, son, Steven Thomas Becker, stillborn son, Paul, infant daughter, Lucy and siblings: Ervin, Joseph, Lorraine, Harry, Bernice, Elmer, Edward, Jack and William.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Delores Smrz will be held on Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 10:00 AM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Montello.  Visitation will be held one hour before mass.  Father Savio Yerasani will preside and private burial will take place on Thursday afternoon at Badger Cemetery, rural Lanark.  In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 277 E. Montello Street, Montello, WI 53949.

A Special Thank You to her care giver, Lisa Smalarz who provided extraordinary care with love and compassion and Agrace Hospice for their care and support.

Crawford Funeral and Cremation Service of Montello and Oxford is honored to be serving the family.  www.CrawfordFH.com