W. Wayne Smith

W. Wayne Smith died April 21, 2009 at St Anne Extended Healthcare. Walter Wayne was born on March 22, 1924 to Leo R. and Amelia (Literski) Smith in Winona, Minnesota. Wayne graduated from Cotter High School in 1942 and the University of Notre Dame in 1948. On October 3rd 1945 he married Phyllis Heller in Oceanside, CA. He was a captain in the U.S. Marine Corp serving in Occupied Japan and the Korean Conflict. Following his military service, Wayne worked for the Boyum, Shubert and Sorensen firm (LaCrosse) prior to partnering with the Flad office (Madison) toform Flad-Smith Architectural Services in Winona. His first project was supervising the construction of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona, designed by Flad. Wayne was responsible for designing and supervising the construction of nearly one hundred Catholic churches throughout the Diocese of Winona. The Joseph Page Theatre and Thomas Moore Chapel at St Mary's University, the Performing Arts Center and Minne Hall at Winona State University and Town & Country Bank (now Winona National Bank-West) are a few local examples of his work. W-Smith Architectural and Engineering Services served Winona and the surrounding area for 58 years. Summers on the river were special to Wayne. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends at his cottage at "Pollywog Farm" on the Mississippi. Wayne and Phyllis loved to travel and especially enjoyed meeting family and friends in Acapulco every winter. His other interests included; woodworking, gardening, reading, and stamp collecting.Wayne is survived by his beloved wife Phyllis, son Sherman (Lori), and five daughters; Sydney Smith, Paula (Ed) Krage, Sara (Jeff) Brandon, all of Winona, Mariclaire (Dr. Kevin) Fleming, Rochester, MN, and Emily Smith (George Hartley), Wisconsin Rapids, WI. Twelve grandchildren; Jason (Anne) Smith, Britton (Sandra) Smith, Matthew Krage, Chris, Kyle and Kelly Brandon, Alyson, Daniel and Leo Fleming and Quinn, Grace and Jaret Hartley, as well as four great-grandchildren. Four siblings; Marion Cunningham, Charles (Marie) Smith, Father Leland Smith, and Joan Roskos, all of Winona. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant son Philip, granddaughter Rosemary Spence Krage, brothers Leo (Buster) and Edward and his sister Nina Smith. A Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Winona with The Reverend Thomas Hargesheimer officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Military graveside honors will be conducted by the Winona American Legion. Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. Friday at Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service-Hansen Goodview Chapel. A Christian Prayer Service will be at 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the Catholic Schools Foundation of Winona or Home and Community Options, Inc.