Alma Lee Smith

Alma Lee Smith, 35, of La Crosse, passed away on Tuesday, May 20, 2014, at the Mayo Clinic Health System of La Crosse, after a long and courageous battle with end stage renal failure and other related health problems. Alma was born in Shelbyville, Ill., on March 18, 1979, to Jimmy and Sherry (Brutosky) Smith and later graduated from La Crosse Central High School. She spent most of her life in La Crosse, touching the lives of those around her. She had been a regular visitor to many congregation sites in the area, over the years, and she took great pride in the large number of individuals whom she called friends and family. Alma is survived by her daughter Audra, whom she had hoped to reconnect with in the future. She is also survived by her brother, Jimmy Smith Jr. of Alton, Ill., (whom she often spoke about), her father, another brother, Charles, and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by a special friend, Joan; and by Deja, Kayla, Krystal, Rose Marie, and all the staff at REM who loved Alma and never hesitated to go above and beyond what was required to care for and support her.

A special thank you to Dr. Nedoba and also to the many staff at Mayo Clinic Dialysis Unit who supported Alma in the unique way that was needed, and who provided a special quality of care to her. Thank you to all those who knew Alma, along her short, but impactful journey on earth, and who accepted her for the caring, nurturing and incredible woman that she was. A memorial gathering for family and friends will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, May 28th, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crosse, located at 200 West Ave. So. There will be time reserved for sharing remembrances of Alma beginning at 6:30 p.m.