Dwala Smail

Dwala A. Smail, age 80, of Wausau, passed away on Monday, October 24, 2022, at Mountain Terrace, Wausau, under the care of Interim Hospice.  

Dwala was born on October 23, 1942, in Red Wing, MN, daughter of the late Walter and Verneale (Barghusen) Krie. She attended Winona State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in education. On August 8, 1964, she married Donald Smail in Red Wing, MN. Dwala used her teaching degree throughout her entire life, spent many years helping Hmong refugees, and most recently worked as an event planner for Thrivent Financial, retiring in 2008. She enjoyed gardening, camping in northern Wisconsin and Michigan, and spending time with family. Dwala volunteered with numerous community organizations including the Boy Scouts of America and Faith in Action. She was a long-time member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wausau where she worked with youth education, women of the church, and served as president of the alter guild for many years. She also enjoyed being a part of the 50/50 homemaker's club.

Survivors include her husband, Donald of Wausau; daughter, Jennifer Schmidt of Shawano and her son Austin; son, Jeffery (Karrie) Smail and their children Evan and Tiffany of Wausau; and daughter Janet (Michael) Rohde and their son Everett. She is further survived by one sister, Challis Voth and family and one sister-in-law, Kathy Smail and family, all of MN.

In addition to her parents and Don’s parents, she was preceded in death by two sons-in-law, and a niece and nephew in infancy.

Memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 630 Adams St., Wausau. Visitation will be from 9:30 A.M. until the time of service at the church. Brainard Funeral Home - Wausau Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.

You may leave messages and condolences for her family at brainardfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Parkinson's research.

The family would like to thank the staff of Mountain Terrace for the excellent care shown to Dwala and her family during her time there, as well as Interim Hospice. The family would also like to thank the nursing staff of Benedictine for the compassion and care shown for Dwala and her family during this difficult time.