Staff Reportnews@thewoodstockindepenent.comHigh winds and dry conditions Thursday afternoon caused a controlled prairie burn to spread out of control …
March 14, 2025
Lois E. (Rudsinski) Smith, of Woodstock passed away on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025, at the age of 97 at JourneyCare in Barrington, Ill.
Lois was born Nov. 17, 1927, in Algonquin, Ill., to Arthur and Frieda (Holtz) Rudsinski.
Lois married Harold C. Smith in Algonquin on Feb. 14, 1953. He passed away Jan. 16, 2004.
Born and raised on a dairy farm, she married a dairy farmer and worked hard her whole life. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Woodstock. She enjoyed being outside. She loved digging trees with her family. She was passionate about her grandchildren and their well-being.
Survivors include one son, Darren (Julie) Smith of Woodstock; seven grandchildren, Brian (Jennifer) Manke, Todd (Melissa) Manke, Mandi (Jason) Rozycki, Scott (Beth) Manke, Shari Hilliard, Caleb (Abigail) Smith, and Shannon (Nicholas) Moore; 13 grea-grandchildren, Benjamin Manke, Madeline Manke, Lainey Manke, Tyler Rozycki, Colin Rozycki, Jack Manke, Claire Manke, Charlee Hilliard, Parker Hilliard, Lincoln Smith, Asher Smith, Natalia Moore, and Anastasia Moore; a sister Helen Hopp; and a son-in-law, Bill Manke.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; a son, Steven Smith in 1960; a daughter, Sandra Manke in 2000; three sisters, Lula (Marwood), Vera (Beu), and Alice (Keisler); six brothers, Harry, Albert, William, Leonard, Earl, and Clifford (all Rudsinski).
Pallbearers are Brian Manke, Todd Manke, Scott Manke, Caleb Smith, Jason Rozycki, and Nicholas Moore.
Memorials may be made in Lois’ honor to St John Lutheran Church, Woodstock.
Services will be private.
For information, call the Schneider, Leucht, Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock, at 815-338-1710 or visit slmcfh.com.
