Donald "Donnie" Allen Smith

Donald “Donnie” Allen Smith, 67, longtime resident of Rockland, died Monday, April 29, 2019 at Mayo Clinic Health System, La Crosse. He was born October 16, 1951 to the late Kenneth D. and Lois E. (Savall) Smith at St. Mary’s Hospital in Sparta.

Donnie worked for Elco Industries in Rockford, IL, Mississippi Valley Hardwoods in Rockland, Waste Management in La Crosse, and as a bus driver for the Sparta Area School. Donnie married Marie Burnham on June 8, 1974, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sparta. He was a member of the Rockland/Bangor-Burns volunteer fire department and the Country Music Association. Donnie enjoyed tractors and cars. He loved to play blue grass and old country music on his fiddle.

Donnie is survived by his loving wife of over 44 years, Marie; his six children, Lynette M. Smith; Matthew F. (Mandy) Smith; Catherine M. (Timothy) Hornik; Mary L. (Dennis) La Clair; Mark A. (Kristin) Smith; and Margaret K. Smith. He is further survived by six grandchildren; two brothers, Steven Smith and Bruce Smith; and two sisters Carol Leader and Katherine Giraud.

In addition to his parents, Ken and Lois, he was preceded in death by a niece, Tiffany Gutierrez.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sparta, with Father Eric Berns officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Family and friends may visit at the church on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass. Online condolences may be offered to the Smith family at www.schanhoferfh.com.

The Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.

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