Colleen Ferne (Sykes) Smith, 77, of Iola died Friday, July 4th, 2014 at Theda Clark Regional Medical Center, Neenah,Wisconsin.
Colleen was born in Ringsted, Iowa on February 22, 1937, the daughter of Lucille (Theesfield) Christiansen and the late Ernest Christiansen. Colleen married Doanld Sykes on June 11, 1958 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He preceded her in death on Oct 20, 2004. She later married Kenneth Smith on June 18, 2011 in Iola who she met by chance through a grief support group ad in the local paper. Colleen graduated from Ringsted High School in Ringsted Iowa in 1954. She graduated from the University of Stevens Point in 1958 with a degree in teaching. Colleen and Don moved to Iola in 1968 where she began teaching at Iola-Scandinavia; retiring in 1995. She was a very active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church where she was a member of the church choir, Sunday school teacher and many various activities. Colleen was a charter member of the Iola Lioness, coordinator of the Saturday night worship service at the Iola Car Show. Colleen enjoyed traveling with Ken to Florida and Arizona. She especially liked to spend time with her family and grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Kennneth Smith of Iola; daughter, Kim (Cho Seng) Ng of Waukesha; sons, Kent (Dawn) Sykes of Waupaca, Jeff Sykes of Madison; mother, Lucille Hieger of Mesa, Az; stepson, Glenn Smith of Houston, TX; grandchildren: Joseph (Laura) Ng, Angela Ng, Nicholas Ng, Christopher Sykes, Amanda Sykes, Stephanie Sykes; step-grandchildren, Preston, Forrrest and Sawyer; great-grandchildren, Logan and Olivia; brothers: Ernest Christiansen, Iola; Leon (Janice) Christiansen, Tomahawk; sister, JoAnn (Doug) Lytle, Iola; sister-in-law, Shirley Reynolds of Cedarburg. Further survived by nieces, nephews other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by an infant son, Kevin Jay Sykes; nephew, Jonathan Christiansen; sisters-in-law, Nancy Christiansen and Carol Smith; brother-in-law, David Bestul.
Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 9th, with Reverend Dennis Olson officiating. Visitation will be held Tuesday 4-7 p.m. at Voie Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Our Savior’s Lutheran Cemetery Town of Scandinavia, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church or the Wisconsin Lions Camp in Rosholt. Register Book and online condolences may be sent by visiting www.voiefuneralhome.com