CATARACT - Julia A. Smith, 89 of Cataract, passed away Thursday, October 1, 2026 at her home. She was born on September 3, 1937 in Woodstock, IL to Clarence and Rose Marie (Stone) Shaffer. She grew up in Woodstock and graduated from Woodstock High School.
Julia married Elbert Wayne Smith on March 31, 1956. They had three children together, Colleen Smith of Gardiner, MT, Belinda (Cliff) Snow of Cataract, and Kevin (Lisa) Smith of Sparta.
In her younger years, Julia was a beautician teacher at Don Roberts Beauty School in McHenry, IL. She later worked for USG in Chicago as an accountant. She later transferred to Texas where she was an accountant for Unimast, a division of USG. When Julia retired, they bought the Mill Pond in 1992. They worked there until retiring in 2015.
Julia is survived by her three children; two grandsons, Jason (Jess) Snow of Gardiner, MT and Jacob (Dess) Snow of Winona, MN; three great grandchildren, Connor Doody of Gardiner, MT, Diana Snow of Winona, MN, and Robert Snow of Winona, MN.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Emplify Hospice by Gundersen for their compassionate care and support during Julie’s final days.
A graveside service will be held in Cataract Cemetery at a later date. Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation
