Donald Louis Smits

Donald Louis Smits, age 80, of Ashwaubenon, passed away peacefully after a long illness on Friday, November 17, 2017.  He was born on February 26, 1937, in Green Bay, to the late Donald and Marie (Mineau) Smits.  Donnie graduated from East Green Bay High School in 1956, where he excelled at football and basketball.  He then went on to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps.  Donnie married his high school sweetheart, Lois Link, on November 3, 1956, at St. Mary’s of the Angels in Green Bay.  He worked at Kendall Corporation for 37 years until his retirement in 1999.  Donnie loved spending time with his family.  He worked hard to maintain his home, yard, and cottage.  Donnie loved sports of all kinds, especially the Packers, Badgers, and Notre Dame football.  Donnie enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors.  He was a generous man with a great sense of humor. 

Donnie will be sadly missed by his wife of 61 years, Lois; children, Jeff (Brenda), Steve (Jennifer), Shelly (Dean Bialozynski), Mike (Patti), and Lisa (Craig) Roskom; grandchildren, Ryan (Courtney), Jordan, Patrick (Kristen), and Erin (Nick), Keegan and Kelly, Robert (Beth) Bialozynski, Brittany (Mike) Fisher, Sydney (Andy) Cleven, and Carli, and McKenzie (Colin), Megan, and Brennan Roskom; great-grandchildren, Charlotte Smits, Bennett Smits, Hayden, Carson, and Easton Thomas, and Lawson and Cashton Flinchum; sister, Nancy Smits; brother-in-law, Robert (Diane) Link; sister-in-law, Janice Boettcher; and many nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends.

In addition to his parents, Donnie is preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Roland and Helen Link; brother-in-law, Clark Boettcher; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, 2270 S. Oneida St., from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m.  Rev. Michael Ingold will be officiating.  Entombment will be in Ft. Howard Mausoleum.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either the American Heart Association or the Brown County Humane Society. 

Don’s family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Cardiology Associates of Green Bay for their kindness and care.

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