George Henry Smrcina

George H. Smrcina, 83, of rural Waterville, IA, died Sunday, December 27, 2015, at his home. Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 31, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, IA, with Rev. Msgr. Cletus Hawes and Fr. Donald Hawes officiating. Burial with military honors will be at Calvary Cemetery in Prairie du Chien, WI.
Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, December 30, at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 3:45 p.m. scripture service. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Patrick School in Waukon to purchase a new mixer.
George Henry Smrcina was born March 12, 1932, in Prairie du Chien, WI, the son of George and Mary (Tesar) Smrcina. He was baptized at St. John’s Catholic Church in Prairie du Chien and graduated from Prairie du Chien High School. After graduating, George worked for short time for Northern Engraving before enlisting in the United States Army. George served from 1951-1954, in the 45th Division, earning the rank of sergeant, and spent a year in Korea. He was always very proud of his division and a few years ago attended their reunion. On April 9, 1953, George married Norma Crubel at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bloomington, WI. After being honorably discharged from the Army, George and Norma made their home in Prairie du Chien and George returned to work at Northern Engraving. He became the plant manager and in 1965, the company began moving George and his family around the area, where he served as plant manager in Sparta, WI, Waukon, IA, and Lansing, IA. George retired after 50 years there.
He was a member of the American Legion in Harpers Ferry, IA, and St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon. While living in Prairie du Chien, he belonged to the Eagles Club. George was quite the outdoorsman, loving to hunt, fish, and mow the lawn. He also loved mushroom hunting, going wherever he was allowed to and was already looking forward to going next spring. George was an accomplished woodworker and was especially proud of the baby cradles he made for family and friends.
George is survived by his wife Norma of rural Waterville; three children: Dick (Susan) of Harpers Ferry, Randy (Linda) of Fremont, NE, and Becky (Greg) Hamm of Waukon; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; three brothers: Jim (Charlotte) of Tennison, WI, Bob (Roberta) of Dubuque, IA, and Dan of Tomah, WI; his sister Shirley Meyer of Texas; sister-in-law Rosie Smrcina of Prairie du Chien; and brother-in-law Norm Johnson of Gays Mills, WI.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his infant son Russell; three sisters: Marie Johnson, Alice (Joe) McGrath, and Ruth (Tom) McGrath; and three brothers: John, Francis (Mary), and Don.
Honorary casketbearers are George’s great-grandchildren. Casketbearers are his grandchildren: Kali Smith, Shana and JoHanna Smrcina, Jacob, Lindsay, Joshua, and Zach Smrcina, Jason and Jerrod Hamm, Jana Troendle. Matt (Kali) Smith and Eric (Jana) Troendle are also casketbearers.
Condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.