Wildahlee 'Buttons' Smith

IRONWOOD, Mich. — Wildahlee “Buttons” Smith, 82, of Bessemer, passed away on July 22, 2018, in Ironwood.

Buttons was born on July 9, 1936, to the late William and Jewell (Livingston) Kitzman in Bergland.

She was a 1954 graduate of Bergland High Schools.

On July 23, 1956, she married Alan Smith in the Fort Riley, Kan., Army Chapel. She was employed with the U.S. Navy until her marriage. After her children started to arrive, her most important job was caring for her family. She raised six children of her own and helped raise many more. She also enjoyed playing bingo. She also loved Easter and her annual Easter egg hunt. She would make thousands of eggs and hide them all over the family farm. All were invited and we will be finding the missing eggs for years to come.

She will be sadly missed by her husband of 62 years, Alan “Al” Smith; children, Julie (John) Cox, of Wakefield, Bernie (Sandy) Smith, of Ironwood, Barb (Pat Peterson) Allen, of Ironwood, Cindy Smith, of Bessemer, and Theresa (Tim) O’Brien, of Kronenwetter, Wis .; grandchildren, Jacob and Jordan Cox, Jennifer (Scott Leibel) Smith, Heaven, Richard (Cassie), and Cory Allen, Ashton Hocking, Candis (Joe) Dart, Tim (Rachel) O’Brien, and Samantha O’Brien; eight great-grandchildren, with one on the way; brothers, Pat (Ann) Kitzman of Matchwood, Gerald (Sandra) Kitzman, of Matchwood, Thomas (Rennata) Kitzman, of Southgate, James (Mary) Kitzman, of Newberry, and Guy (Mary) Kitzman, of Matchwood; one sister, Barbara Powell, of Matchwood; as well as many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Marvin Smith; great-granddaughter, Jazlynn; a brother, Pete; and a sister, Georgia Moore.

Memorial services for Buttons will be on Saturday, Aug. 11, at 11 a.m. at the Cornerstone Christian Church, 8051 E. Mill St., in Bessemer. There will be a visitation at the church Saturday morning from 10 to 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cornerstone Christian Church. Buttons’ favorite color was yellow; therefore, if you do choose to send flowers, we encourage you to send yellow.

Frick-Zielinski Funeral Home of Bessemer is assisting the family with arrangements.

For more information and to express condolences, visit rangefuneralservices.com.