Wallace "Wally" Smetana Obituary (1925 - 2009)

Wallace W. Smetana Wallace W. Smetana, age 84, of Menomonie, passed away Monday, Oct. 26, 2009, at his home. Wally was born Sept. 27, 1925, in Woodmohr, Chippewa County, to William and Mary (Walsburger) Smetana. Raised on a farm in rural Bloomer, he attended St. Paul's Parochial School and Bloomer High School before graduating from River Falls State Teachers College with a bachelors of science in mathematics and social science. He also took graduate classes at the University of Iowa. On Dec. 30, 1955, Wally and June Petersen were wed. They later adopted two children, Mary Beth and John. Wally and June were active members of the Menomonie Theater Guild. Wally began his working career as a teacher at the Dunn County School of Agriculture and Domestic Economy, where he made lifelong connections with his students. In 1953, he crossed the street from the school to begin what would be an active and fulfilling 56-year career at The Dunn County News. Until he was named editor in 1960, Wally served as sports editor and ad manager. In 1991, he retired as editor and spent the rest of his time at the News as editor emeritus, working until the Friday before his death. From 1972 � with the exception of a two-year hiatus, Wally served on the Dunn County Board of Supervisors and was secretary, vice-president and president of the Wisconsin Counties Highway Committee Members Association. In addition to being a founding member of the Community Development Commission and a coach for Menomonie Junior Legion Baseball, other service organization memberships included the Dunn County Chapter of the Red Cross Board of Directors, Menomonie Housing Authority, and Menomonie Rotary (noon) Club. He was also an active parishioner at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Menomonie. Over the years, Wally received a number of awards. The most recent was his induction into the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation's Hall of Fame in January. In 2006, he was named Citizen of the Year by the Greater Menomonie Area Chamber of Commerce, honored as "a shaper of public opinion with a spirit of good will." He also received the Chamber's Good Neighbor award in the 1990s. The Dunn County Farm Bureau presented him with its Friend of Agriculture in 2005, the same year he was inducted into both the Menomonie Bowling Association and National Bowling Association's halls of fame. And among his proudest achievements was the first place award he won in the Wisconsin Newspaper Association's 1984 Better Newspaper contest for a series of editorials he wrote about the city manager form of government. As both a reporter and a participant, he called the local political scene "the best show of all." Wally enjoyed playing cards, especially euchre, in a number of different venues throughout the area. His other hobbies included bowling, golf and watching high school football and baseball. His pals will miss him in the press box at Don and Nona Williams stadium. Wally is survived by his daughter, Mary McDermott of Seattle, Wash.; his son, John (Cindy) of St. Paul; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Jerry Prince of Chippewa Falls, Harold Mork of Menomonie, and John Petersen of Durand; as well as many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, June; two sisters, Charlotte and Doris. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Menomonie, with Father Tom Krieg officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie, and at the church one hour prior to the service on Friday. Burial will be in Christ Lutheran/Halvorson Cemetery in Menomonie at a later date. To express condolences online, please visit obituaries at www.olsonfuneral.com