Elaine Frances (Smith) Barth, 96, of Camp Douglas died Friday, Dec. 23, 2016, at the Morrow Memorial Home in Sparta.
She was born Dec. 9, 1920, in Greenville, (Jaketown) Ill., the second child of Cecil and Alta (Hampton) Smith. Elaine, or “Tainey,” as she was called by many in her family, was raised in a very loving home with lots of family around. It was a very musical family with lots of happy times.
Elaine was united in marriage to Joseph H. Barth on Nov. 30, 1941. Two children, Art and Judy, were born to this union before they left in late 1947 and headed to Sparta. After the move to Sparta, four more children were born: Joseph Jr., Jane, Roger and Gary. Elaine worked as a housewife, a sweet mother, and gardener. She also worked a short time at Hableman’s Cranberry Marsh and for Northern Engraving in Sparta for 15 years. In 1976, they moved to Camp Douglas.
Elaine kept busy in her spare time in her garden; her love of flowers was well known. She loved to crochet and made many dollies, tablecloths and afghans for her family. Her great old stories from her childhood were listened to as a favorite of her family get-togethers. Some stories were told several times but always were still enjoyed. She always had a suitcase packed for her many travels with her family, just waiting to be asked. Her trips included Cancun, Texas, Georgia, Florida, Colorado, California, Arizona, and the state Washington.
She leaves six children, a son, Arthur (Rita) Barth of Camp Douglas, and their children Kevin (Theresa) Barth and Jamie and (Lee) Jaromin; a daughter, Judith (Jim) Harr of Norwalk, and their four children, Kathy Landsom, Kim Block, Kris (Corwin) Sauve and Jody (Penny) Harr; a son, Joseph (Nancy) Barth Jr. of Pueblo West, Colo., and their daughter, Wendy (Mark) Winchester; a daughter, Jane (Don) Schur of La Crosse, and their son, Brian Schur; a son, Roger (Cindy) Barth of Sparta, and their children, Chad (Linda) Barth, Corey (Jodie) Barth and Casey Barth; and a son, Gary (Sandie) Barth of Great Falls, Mont., and his children John Barth and Sara (Jeff) Hamon.
She also is survived by 13 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren and 18 great-great-grandchildren; a dear sister, Phyllis (Mark) Dothager of Powder Springs, Ga.; a brother, Joe (Bonnie) Smith of Dubuque, Iowa; a special sister-in-law, Sharon Smith of Centralia, Ill.; many nieces and nephews, Sue, Jake, Fran, Tom, Dick, Peg, Nancy, Dale, Dawn, Carolyn Sue, Charley, Craig, Candace, Thomas, Joseph, Karen, Randy, Steve, Chad and Brian; and other relatives and friends. She will be sadly missed by all her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe, in 1985, her parents; a special sister and her best friend, Nelda Blankenship; an infant sister, Shirley; three brothers, Jim, Jack, and infant Carlton; an infant grandson, Todd Barth; a niece, Margie (Blankenship) Graham; and a nephew, Michael Joe Smith.
A funeral service was Wednesday, Dec. 28, at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau St., Tomah. Pastor Mike Ehm officiated. Burial will be in Camp Douglas Cemetery.
Online condolences may be sent to www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
Elaine’s family would like to thank the Morrow Home, Bridgepath staff and nurses, and Dr. Jessica Stefanski, who always treated Elaine with such kindness and grace.
