Martha F. Smerchek

Martha F. Smerchek, age 95, passed away Friday, July 15, 2016. Martha was born in Vladivistock, Russia on October 22, 1920, daughter of the late Frank and Olga (Nee: Chemichoff) Prochazka and came to the United States at the age of four.

On December 2, 1944 at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church she was united in marriage to Roland D. Smerchek who preceded her in death on September 10, 1987. In her earlier years she was employed by Dumore Corporation, J.C. Penney, and J.I. Case Company. An excellent cook, Martha also enjoyed entertaining, gardening, cooking, investing, and traveling including fishing trips in Canada. Above all she was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who cherished her family.

She will be sadly missed by her children, Nancy Nelson and Gerald (Robin) Smerchek and her grandchildren, Austin (Shelley) Nelson and their children, Emilie, Austin Jr. and Elizabeth; Kristine (Nathan) Schwartz and their children, Kayla and Tyler; Jason (Karen) Smerchek and their children, Dominic, Josie and Trevin; Joel (Erin) Smerchek and their children Zackary, Drake and Luke. Other loved ones include Susan Prochazka; nephews, Thomas (Karen) Fuller and John (Colleen) Prochazka. Martha is preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Charles Prochazka, niece, Lynn Prochazka, sisters-in-law, Grace Fuller and Ruth Smerchek and brother-in-law, Earl (Rosile) Smerchek.

A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, July 21, 2016, 11:00 A.M. at Preservation Hall of Racine, 740 Lake Avenue. Visitation is from 10:00 A.M. until time of service at 11:00 A.M. with storytelling and lunch immediately following the service. The Reverend Kaye Glennon from Sacred Journeys Spiritual Community presiding.