Michael (Mike) Louis Smith, 80, died peacefully August 28, 2023 with his loving wife at his side.

He was born August 21, 1943 to Warren and Edna Mae (Melberg) Smith in Chicago Il where the young family lived while his father served in WWII.

After the war they moved to Ashland to be near family. Mike graduated from Ashland High School in 1961. He attended UW Madison and UW Platteville and graduated from Northland College in Business Administration. He completed US Marines Officer Candidate School but physical difficulties from two childhood bouts with polio prevented commissioning and he returned to Ashland. In school he played sousaphone and favored outdoor sports. An accomplished skier, he later organized ski trips with schoolmates and was ski instructor at Mt. Ashwabay. He was on the Town of Bayview Board, served as chair, and served on the Board of Directors of Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Development Council. For many years he lit the Ashland 4th of July fireworks. He was instrumental in starting Ashland Baydays and Sled Dog races and was recognized as Ashland Area Person of the Year for these and many other civic accomplishments. Mike had a life-long attachment to Lake Superior. He learned extraordinary outdoor skills from family particularly at their property on Frog Bay. With grandfather Carl Albert (“Red”) Melberg he learned to fish, hunt, build and repair engines, plus boating, woodworking, wallpapering and construction. Stories included visits to Hermit Island. In later years Mike and other family faithfully maintained the property until it was sold to become part of a Tribal National Park. From Fossum uncles he learned about bicycles. His father taught him forestry. Withskills learned from his mother he helped sew sails. In Ashland, he was best known as manager of Bodin’s Marina. There he started the area’s first Radio Shack dealership, often recognized for top national sales. In 1985 he married DeborahNeuheisel and they moved to Rice Lake. There he was regional sales manager for GM Popkey and until his retirement was purchasing manager for Mastercraft Industries. Mike hunted on Madeline Island and later in Rice Lake area with friends. He sailed Lake Superior, participating in many Trans Superior and island races on the Dionysius with friends and often with his son and brother. In Rice Lake he golfed, fished, and hunted; he curled and skipped and served as treasurer at the Rice Lake Curling Club. He was Our Lady of Lourdes pastoral council president and usher.

He is survived by his wife Deb, son Cory (Kate), daughter Jessica (Zeus), granddaughter Zoë, brothers Timothy (Kelly) and Phillip, sister Anne (Roger) Blattberg, bonus family Amaryllis, Christopher, and Matthew Kodesh, and Sara Blatt-Kodesh, and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and infant sister Bonnie.

Mike was known for his amiable personality and buoyant spirit. Diagnosed with dementia in 2013, he carried himself with dignity, honor and strength. He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, colleague and friend who will be remembered for his integrity, heart, humor and good-nature. He loved those who went before him and he will be dearly missed.

Visitation is Wednesday, September 6, 2023 from 4 to 7 pm at Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake with the funeral Mass at 11 am Thursday, September 7, 2023 at Our Lady of Lourdes, Dobie, with visitation 10 to 11. Memorials to the Rice Lake Curling Club, MMC Home Health and Hospice, or the Barron County Daybreak Program would be appreciated.

Last Update: Aug 30, 2023 12:56 pm CDT