Connie L. Smith 1942 - 2017


Connie Lee Smith, 74, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at the Stephenson Nursing Center in Freeport following an extended illness. She was born on November 2, 1942, in Freeport, to Walter and Genevieve (Hasselman) Fuchs. She graduated from Pecatonica High School in 1960. Connie married the love of her life, Van Smith, on July 13, 1984. She was a member of Park Hills Evangelical Free Church. Connie dedicated her life to serving the Lord, having taught bible study with her husband in their home for 25 years. Prior to her retirement, she was employed by the Green Hills Council of Girl Scouts, Best in Sight, and the Freeport Country Club.


Connie was an amazing cook, loved to entertain, and established many wonderful traditions and memories for her family. A talented craftswoman and decorator, her home was always festive and welcoming. Connie thoroughly enjoyed going for walks with Van and their little dogs, spending time with her family and friends, fishing in Chetek, Wisconsin, gardening, quilting, reading, and everything outdoors. She will be most remembered for her gift of brightening any room or anyone's day with her beautiful, inviting smile and sense of humor.


Connie is survived by her adoring husband, Van and their dogs, Luke and Emilee; her loving children, Daren (Jan) Dietmeier, Cathy (Ray) Heeren, Gwen (Marty) Keith, Jeff (Heather) Dietmeier, Diana (John) Pringey, and Kelly Smith; her brothers, Rodney (Dorothy) Fuchs, James (Gloria Schesvold) Fuchs, Craig (Melody) Fuchs; her grandchildren, Zachary and Molly Dietmeier, Jeremy and Jordan (Nikki Albrecht) Heeren, Jack and Keelin Dietmeier, Jonathan (Amber Workinger) and Heather (Adam Schaney) Riley, Erica (Josh) Meinert, Christopher Brimeyer; her great-grandchildren, Gage, Ava, and Zevlynn; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her brother Michael and her parents.


Visitation will be held at Walker Mortuary in Freeport from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 18. Funeral services celebrating her life will be on Thursday, January 19 at 10:00 a.m. at Park Hills Evangelical Free Church in Freeport. There will be a time of food and fellowship following the service. A private burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Memorials have been established for Park Hills Evangelical Free Church and for FHN Hospice.


The family wishes to thank Connie's dear friends, Dr. Michael Muise, the staff at the Stephenson Nursing Center and FHN Hospice for their incredible care.