Delbert Lee Smith

Delbert Lee Smith passed away peacefully surrounded by his girls on Friday, January 17, 2025, in Sahuarita, Ariz. and has now joined his wife in heaven, whom he loved so much and missed every day.

He was born June 14, 1932, in Mercer. Delbert was a lifelong resident of Rhinelander, where he and his wife Marilyn (Brooks) Smith raised “his” 3 girls, Terri Summers, Denise Kupcho (Tom), and Tina Henkel (Darin).  He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Sarah (Simonis) Smith.  

He proudly served his country in the US Navy. 

Del was a long-time member of the Rhinelander Country Club, where he and Marilyn made many lifelong friends and got to play out their passion for golfing. He worked for Wisconsin Public Service (WE Energies) for 40 years as a lineman and estimator. Delbert was a man of high integrity, lived honestly and passionately, a true gentleman. 

He was the ROCK for his family, always guiding and supporting. Del endeared everyone he met with his wry Wisconsin humor. He was an avid cribbage player and won so much that most people thought he “cheated”!  He was voted best neighbor by his great Arizona friends. He is survived by his daughters, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Family, friends, and others whose lives Del touched are invited to the memorial service at Northland Memorial Park, 4171 Mallard Ln, Rhinelander, on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 1 p.m. followed by a life celebration at a location to be determined.