Mary Pat was born February 24th, 1968 in Hayward to parents Ronald (Pete) and Delores Peterson.

She was an 1986 graduate of Hayward High School and 1986 Musky Festival Queen. In 1990 she graduated from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee with a degree in Occupational Therapy. A season of her work life was spent helping patients at the Hayward Hospital.  She was married October 15th, 1994 to husband Dennis L. Smith and spent the next 26 years loving and serving family and friends in the Hayward community. Her first love, however, was Jesus and his redeeming love for not only her, but the whole world. She loved to read books of all types. She deeply valued her relationships with people. “Good relationships require work”, she would say. It was this common interest in growing relationships that brought her together with her husband and resulted in her work, supporting other couples with Marriage Encounter.  After working for several years as an Occupational Therapist, Mary Pat transitioned to homeschooling her children, something she would say was her most challenging feat, and at the same time, the most rewarding. Her last workplace was the HACIL school library.  She loved walks in the woods, interpretive dance choreography, and drinking a good cup of coffee alone or with a friend.

Mary Pat is survived by her husband Dennis; children Evan Smith and Claire Smith; parents, Ronald and Delores Peterson of Hayward; and siblings Kirsten (Chris) Hennessy of Evergreen, CO, Matt (Sue) Peterson of Middleton, WI, Stewart (Kelly) Peterson of Rhinelander, WI and Chad (Christine) Peterson of Superior, WI; along with many nieces and nephews.

An open air memorial service will be held Saturday, August 8 at 1 pm at the Smith home. 15564 Par Ln. Family and friends are welcome. There will be a tent for family and friends are welcome to bring their own chair as there will be plenty of room on the lawn to social distance. We ask everyone to respect the safety of others and if able to wear a mask when socializing before and after the service. There will not be a visitation line or a meal served for the general public.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Hayward Regional Hospice, 15910W Company Lake Road, Hayward, WI 54843 or Samaritan Ministries, PO Box 3618, Peoria, IL 61612. 

Last Update: Aug 06, 2020 6:37 am CDT