Jerry John Smith

Jerry John Smith, 89, passed away on August 3, 2026 at River Pines in Altoona with his high school sweetheart and loving wife of 68 years by his side.

Jerry was born October 5, 1936 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin to Leo and Evelyne Smith. Jerry married Kathryn (Kap) Rudd on May 5, 1959 and together they raised three boys.

He was a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather that was a steady, loving influence on his family. Jerry was a proud US Navy veteran, serving from 1959-1962 as a plank owner, receiving certificates in the Ancient Order of the Deep and the Order of the Locks.

After the Navy, he and "Kap" returned to the Eau Claire area where he studied at UWEC and started a family. He worked as a bartender at the Hotel Eau Claire while studying and later became a sales representative for Campbell's Soup where he worked until retiring in 1998.

In 1976 the family moved from 5th Street in Eau Claire to Kap and Jerry's dream house on the banks of the Chippewa River.

Jerry loved being on the water "captaining" many different boats over the years. He enjoyed boating with his family and also many hunting trips with friends, his sons, and his grandsons.

Jerry is survived by; his loving wife, Kathryn (Kap), sons, Mark (Bonnie) Smith of Mesa, AZ, and Steve (Andrea) Smith of Chippewa Falls, grandchildren, Jerry (Claire) Smith, Timothy (Angeline) Smith, Savannah Smith, and Amanda (Cole) Gudis, and 3 great-grandsons. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Thomas Smith.

A Celebration of Life will take place at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home, West Chapel, 1405 N. Clairemont Ave, Eau Claire, on Friday, August 28 from 4-7 pm. Friends and relatives are invited to attend. Private family burial will be held at Lakeview Cemetery in Eau Claire. Online condolences for Jerry's family may be left at www.lenmarkfh.com. Arrangements were entrusted to Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral and Cremation Services.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to the caring, compassionate staff at River Pines in Altoona, Dr. "Tana" and staff at Marshfield Clinic, and Dr. David Helland of Marshfield Clinic.