Nancy Smolka

Nancy Jane Smolka age 84, of St. Louis, MI, passed away Sunday, March 4, 2018 at Masonic Pathways, Alma, MI.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Mt. St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Louis, MI, on Friday, March 9, 2018 at 11:00 A.M., with Rev. Fr. Nate Harburg officiating.  Burial will take place at Pine Grove Cemetery, Ithaca, MI. Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 8, 2018 from 2-8 P.M. with the family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes St. Louis, MI.  A Vigil Service will be held at 7:00 P.M. on Thursday at the funeral home.

Nancy was born in Bay City, MI on December 30, 1933 the daughter of Peter and Frances (Balcerzak) Toporski. She graduated in the top three of her class from St. Stanislaus Catholic High School in Bay City, MI in 1952. She was the lead alto in the church choir. Nancy married Andrew Joseph Smolka on November 14, 1959 in Bay City, MI; Andrew passed away on May 17, 2007.

Nancy enjoyed gardening, cooking, needlepoint, polka dances, and watching old movies and TV shows. She loved spending time with her family, especially her children. She was very involved with her children's school activities and sporting events. Nancy worked for many years at Carrie Knause Elementary where she helped in the lunchroom, was a playground aid, librarian, and a teacher's aid. She enjoyed the time spent with the kids at school. She was a lifelong member of Mt. St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Louis, MI. Nancy was always putting others before herself and praying for her family and friends.

She is survived by her daughters: Jennifer Smolka of Washington DC; Laura (Curt) Manship of Bristol, IN; Carol (Matthew) LeCureaux of DeWitt, MI; daughter-in-law Julie Smolka of New Port Richey, FL; sisters: Rita (Vern) Vos, Sally Bishop, Jacqueline Moore, and brother Thomas (Carol) Toporski. She is also survived by many grandpuppies and grandkitties. She was predeceased by her parents, husband Andrew in 2007, mother-in-law and father-in-law Anna and Anton Smolka, son James in 2004, son Edward in 2009, and brother Michael Toporski in 2015.

Memorials may be made to Heartland Hospice, 5800 Eastman Ave. B Midland, MI 48640 or to Masonic Pathways, Alma, MI. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, MI.