Cleo N. Smith

Cleo (Calder, Hawley) Smith, age 88, passed away peacefully in her Appleton apartment on Monday afternoon, October 23, 2017. Cleo was born on Durkee Street in Appleton on June 13, 1929, daughter of the late Guy and Lydia (Muenster) Berzill. She was a 1948 graduate of the Appleton High School, and married Harold Calder, Sr. Not long after, Terry, Randy and Kim joined the family.

Later, Cleo married Howard Hawley and the second chapter of her life unfolded. Their marriage was blessed by the addition of Scott, and Howie also cared for Cleo’s previous children as though they were his own. Her passion at that time was the family cabin in Park Falls where they enjoyed snowmobiling with family and friends.

After Howie’s death, Cleo met and married Wilbur Smith. Together, they built a cabin in Wabeno where they spent thirty years of their lives together. Cleo so loved hosting family and friends at the cabin. Daily fishing and pontooning on Roberts Lake was a must! Living in the northwoods, she acquired a keen awareness for bald eagles and the trees she often saw them in.

Cleo was well known for decorating for each and every holiday and season, but she really went all out for Christmas. She also loved caring for her flower garden. It was during these Wabeno years that Cleo was able to travel to some of her favorite destinations, including Las Vegas where she always stayed at Sam’s Town. She also enjoyed Lake Tahoe, South Dakota, Colorado, Mackinac Island, and other locales. Everyone knows about Cleo’s passion for shopping and her love of antiques and crafts.

Cleo is survived by three loving children: Randy (Christine) Calder of Menasha; Kim (Rick) Dennis of Menasha; and Scott (Theresa) Hawley of Black Creek; six grandchildren: Aaron Geise, Jina (Shannon) Geise-Lehr, Jodi Geise, Samantha (Scott) Holz, Cassandra (Shaun) Brill, and Nicholas (Haley) Hawley; six great-grandchildren: Shayde, Shyen, Wynter, Ali, Owen, Kody, and Henry; and a sister: Lois Calmes of Neenah. There are also many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Cleo was preceded in death by her husbands, a son Terry Calder, a sister Betty (Reno) Kluge, a niece Barbara Kluge, nephews Steve Calmes and Rick Kluge, and a brother-in-law Spencer Calmes.

A memorial service for Cleo will be held at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, November 1, 2017 at the Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior Street in Appleton. Family and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home on Wednesday from 3:00 PM until the time of the service.

Cleo’s legacy is her beloved family. She was the glue that held the family together, and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. Here’s to you, mom!