Barbara Jeanne Smith

Barbara Jeanne Smith, 90, of Rhinelander, passed away on Tuesday morning, September 16, 2025, at Rennes Health & Rehab and under the care of Compassus at Home Hospice.

Barb was born in Rhinelander on July 8, 1935. She was raised in Rhinelander where she attended St. Mary’s Grade School and Rhinelander High School. She was united in marriage to Vernon Smith at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on March 15, 1952. The couple made their home in Rhinelander raising four children. Later in life Barb worked at the Northwestern, Central Elementary School, Rhinelander Office Supply Company, Fishing Hot Spots, and was a daycare provider at Pat’s Day Care.

Barb has been a member of Nativity of Our Lord Parish. She helped reestablish the Rhinelander Girls Scouts.

Barb enjoyed traveling, especially to Mexico, Spain, Canada, California, Florida, and going on a Caribbean Cruise. She also enjoyed cooking and baking. She was known for baking cookies from scratch and when you came to her home, she would always have two different types to choose from. She loved her family and took pride in all their accomplishments.

Surviving are her children, Craig Smith of Havana, Ill., Jeanne (Bill) Gray of Rhinelander, Megann (Scott) Lawry of Gainesville, Texas, and son-in-law, John Kramer, 10 grandchildren, Randy (Denise) Smith, Mitchell (Brandi) Gray, Kristofer (Teressa) Gray, Heidi Gray, Nathan Schafer, Lauren Schafer, Stephanie (Cory) Bergmann, Scotty (Cassie) Lawry, Cara Kelley, and Daelynn Kelley. Also surviving are 11 great-grandchildren, and sisters, Renee (Dennis) Peterson and Brenda Bowerman. Barb is further survived by nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Eunice (Carl) Nelson, husband, Vernon Smith, an infant daughter, a daughter, Vicki Kramer, a daughter-in-law, Karen Smith, and by two brothers, Richard and Bruce Bellile.

The visitation for Barb will take place on Sunday, Sept. 21, at the Hildebrand Funeral Home located at 24 E. Davenport Street, Rhinelander from 11 a.m. until the 12:30 p.m. funeral service. Pastor Larry Mathein will officiate.

Interment will be private.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hildebrand Funeral Home & Cremation Specialists, 24 E. Davenport Street, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, 54501, 715-365-4343. Everyone is invited to leave an online condolence at www.hildebrandrussfh.com.