Gary Steven Smits

Gary Steven Smits (aka “Butch” to family), age 71, of Appleton, WI, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, after a courageously fought battle with CADASIL.

Gary was born on October 21, 1953, to the late Lee & Bette Smits in Green Bay, WI. He attended Preble High School, graduating in 1972. Six years later, he married the love of his life, Diane Process, on May 6, 1978. They became a family when they welcomed daughters Amber and Rachel. 

After high school, Gary attended UW-Green Bay where he studied Business Administration. He later studied at Lakeland College in Sheboygan, WI, where he earned his Bachelor of Business Administration. Other notable accomplishments include the completion of courses at the Midwest Banking Institute at the University of Minnesota- Morris, Wisconsin Bankers Association for Commercial Lending, and the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin- Madison.

The first job of Gary’s banking career was as a Loan Collector at Thorpe Finance in Appleton, WI. From there he became a Loan Officer at the old West Bank & Trust in Green Bay, WI. He was promoted to Branch Manager, followed by Regional Manager. Moving up the professional ladder, he was hired by Dairyman’s State Bank in Clintonville, WI as Vice President and eventually becoming President and CEO.

After a successful banking career, Gary decided to follow his heart and become his own boss. He and Diane opened a specialty spice & tea shop in Green Bay, WI, before retiring a few years later.

Not one to sit around, Gary enjoyed many hobbies. You could often find him outdoors gardening, landscaping, horseback riding and capturing beautiful images with photography. Other hobbies included playing cards, playing pool, and cooking. He also had a love of travel, and a desire to see the world. He was adventurous and had a zest for life, which he lived to the fullest.

What Gary loved to do most was hunt. Learning from his father at a young age, hunting turned into a lifelong passion. Not only did it become a lifestyle for him, but he was great at it. He earned the monikers “Mr. Whitetail” and “One-Shot Smitty” by tagging a lifetime total of 72 bucks. In addition, he brought home bear, moose, caribou, turkey, & pheasant, and went on excursions to places like Canada, Alaska, and New Mexico. Gary found joy in the peace of his tree stand, where would think about life, compose his poems, and be at one with nature and with God.

Gary was a larger-than-life personality, as many who met him know. He was a master storyteller and handy with a joke. His captivating presence could command a room, whether it was leading a work meeting or giving rousing speeches at his daughters’ weddings. He was a mentor to many and a giver of great advice. He was a wonderful protector & provider- his “girls” wanted for nothing. He gave them the world.

Gary is survived by his devoted wife Diane Smits; daughters Amber (Ben) Garrity, and Rachel (Chris) Heinen; sister Amy (Randy) VanDenHeuvel; brother Patrick (Lisa) Smits; brother-in-law Jim Olds; granddaughters Paige and Violet Garrity; and many nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents Leland & Bette Smits, sister Leanne Olds, and in-laws Donald & Dolores Process.

Visitation will be at Wichmann Jansen Fargo Funeral Home, 204 E Kimberly Ave, in Kimberly, WI on Saturday, November 23, 2024. Visitation will be from 1:00 pm- 3:00pm, with a service to follow.

Gary’s family would like to extend a sincere and heartfelt Thank You to the ThedaCare Hospice Team, especially to his nurse Angie, CNA Ida, social worker Erika and volunteer Laurie. The care, kindness, compassion, and support shown over the past few months was truly a blessing.