Service Details
Services celebrating Joel’s life will be held on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at 11:00 am in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Tuesday from 10:00 – 11:00 am. Private interment will take place at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
Memorial Suggestions
Memorials to Safe Harbor Humane Society (Kenosha) have been suggested.
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Somers – Joel Ellen Smith, age 85, passed away at Brookside Care Center on Monday, February 18, 2019.
Joel was born in Chicago, IL on October 31, 1933 to Thomas and Edith Martin and graduated from McHenry Community High School. In the early 1950’s, while dancing at Arthur Murray Dance Studio, she met a handsome young man by the name of Jack Lester Smith. They fell in love and were married at the Congregational Church in Kenosha on March 26, 1955. As it was a mutual passion for dancing that brought them together, Joel Ellen & Jack founded and operated “EZ Dance Studios” in Racine, Kenosha and Waukegan – teaching the art of dance to thousands of people throughout our community. She was also employed as a switchboard operator at Illinois Bell Telephone Company.
Among her interests, Jo enjoyed camping, traveling, flower gardening, painting, swimming and the shores of Lake Michigan. Above all, her favorite was spending time with her loved ones – especially her adored grandchildren.
Surviving are her children, Jaquenette “Jackie” (Paul) Albert, Jill Cox and Jay (Karen) Smith; grandchildren, Stacie (husband, Rob Kahl) Albert, Zachary Albert, Joshua Albert, Keegan Cox and Kyler Schwenn; sister-in-law, Janis (Mac Lennon) Marks; brother-in-law, Jim (Jane) Smith; nieces, nephews, dance studio family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Jack Smith; father, Thomas Martin; mother Edith Barca; sisters, Anna (Norman) Feely and Margaret Starliper; and by Jack’s parents, Lester and Leona (nee: Hartnell) Smith.
Services celebrating Joel’s life will be held on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at 11:00 am in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Tuesday from 10:00 – 11:00 am. Private interment will take place at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Memorials to Safe Harbor Humane Society (Kenosha) have been suggested.
Special note of thanks to Dr. Christopher Cook & staff, Aurora Medical Center, Aurora Hospice, Aurora at Home and Brookside Care Center for the compassionate care & support given in Joel’s time of need.
Diane (Feeley) Stanik says
So many great memories. Summer vacations – fun on the beach, going to the drive-in, learning how to do the Macarena in the basement with Mom, watching lessons at the studio. Most of all, the laughing, a lot of laughing often at the most inappropriate times which made it all the funnier! Joel (Dodie to the family) was a favorite aunt to me and along with Uncle Jack made for a lot of wonderful times both in my childhood and as an adult. My husband John and I will miss her more than words can say. Love you Aunt Dod
J. Flowers says
Dear family and friends, I’m very sorry for your loss. Unfortunately many of us have lost a loved one in death. But there is hope at John 5:28, 29 where it says that all those in the memorial tombs will hear Jesus’ voice and come out. Yes, in the near future we will see our loved ones again resurrected back to life in perfect health here on earth. I hope this scripture brings you comfort.