Louise Helen Smolik Huberty Obituary
Louise Helen Smolik Huberty, most recently of Brookfield WI and previously of Sun City Center, FL, met with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 4, 2025, at the remarkable age of 94.
Louise lived a life filled with family, personal and professional accomplishments, and service to her community. She loved nothing more than spending time with her 6 adult children, 15 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
Louise had six children with her late husband of 32 years John Smolik Sr. (1928-1989): the late Catherine Smolik-Tubman (1953 – 1997), Barbara (Steve) DeLap, John (Isabel) Smolik, Thomas (Candy) Smolik, Geri/Louise (Robert) Fairbanks and Christopher (Wendy) Smolik.
Louise had 15 grandchildren including the late Lauren Smolik, the late Maura Smolik, Kel Hayward, Valerie Hayward, Christopher Hayward, Meridith Tubman, Angela Smolik, Luke Smolik, Ileana Smolik, Rylan Smolik, Evan Smolik, Paige Smolik, Nicole Fairbanks, Joseph (Ashley) Fairbanks, and Kevin Delap.
She is survived by two great grandchildren: Kendall Delap and Isabelle Fairbanks.
Louise was the fifth child born to the late William John Huberty and the late Gertrude Rose Walgenbach. She is preceded in death by her late siblings Betty Ascherin, Robert (MaryAnn) Huberty, John (Dolly) Huberty, (Joe) Mary Schaub.
She is survived by a number of nieces and nephews including the adult children of her sister Betty Asherin: Terry, Bonnie, Carol and Mary; the adult children of her brother Bob: the late Pamela, Marilyn, Mike, Patrick, Ann, and Bob; the adult children of her sister Mary Schaub: Terri, Joe, Carol, Dave, and Rick; the adult children of her brother John: Nick, Diane, Judy, John and Rose.
In the 1960's and with six children at home, Louise returned to her studies at Alverno College while working as a church organist and music/choir director, which she did since the age of 19 (1949-1981). She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts [BFA] (Music) in 1969 and later secured a Master of Music (MM) degree from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (UWM).
For the next 22 years, Louise excelled as a music teacher at three elementary schools within the Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) system: Browning Elementary School (K3 - 5th Grade), Alexander Mitchell Integrated Arts School (K4 – 8th Grade), and 78th Street School (Academy of Accelerated Learning) (K4 – 5th Grade). Louise was a favorite teacher for many of her students and coworkers who kept in touch with her long after her retirement.
A professional accomplishment worth noting is the supplement Louise wrote in 1988 to the HOLT line sheet music series using the Kodály method. The Kodály method is a music education approach that uses singing, folk music, and hand signs to teach students how to read music and develop their ear training.
Louise was also an active volunteer at numerous religious and community organizations throughout her life, including: the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission (1970-1988) Volunteer member of St Pius X Guild Volunteer receptionist at Channels 10/36 in Milwaukee, WI for six years President of the CCW (Council of Catholic Women), Sun City Center, Florida Lay member of the OSF (Order of St Francis) Volunteer teacher for children of migrant workers in conjunction with the Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA) and Hillsborough County Public Schools Women's Prison Ministry for four years President of the Sun City Center Audubon Society with 200+ members for three years Volunteer ER receptionist at South Bay Hospital Louise also loved to travel with her family from early family trips to Cape Cod, MA; Estes Park, CO; Rocky Mountain Park, CO; Kangaroo Lake, Baileys Harbor, WI; and Door County, Sturgeon Bay, WI. Later she visited her daughter Louise (Geri) multiple times in Mexico and accompanied her son John to China when adopting his daughter Angela. She invited her adult children and grandchildren on trips to Mexico, Alaska, Israel, Spain and France.
Louise's favorite pastimes were bird watching, knitting, and singing. We believe she is currently singing with a choir of angels and dancing in the heavens with those who went before her.
Please celebrate her life with us: Visitation will be from 10:30 AM to 12:15 PM on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, (1200 St Gabriel Way, Hubertus, WI 53033), with a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:30 PM followed by lunch. She will be laid to rest on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 9:30 AM at Wisconsin Memorial Park, (21600 W. Capitol Dr Brookfield, WI 53072). The procession to the gravesite will begin at the red parking lot.
In lieu of flowers, Louise has requested donations be made to: Holy Hill Marian Shrine, 1525 Carmel Rd, Hubertus, WI 53033 Alverno College, 3400 S. 43rd St. Milwaukee, WI 53234 Channel 10/36, 1036 N 8th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53233 "No flowers, no tears. Rejoice with me on my NEW life. Pray for me, yourselves and for peace.". Louise's favorite saying: DON'T QUIT When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, when the road you're trudging seems all uphill, when funds are low and debts are high, And you want to smile but you have to sigh, when care is pressing you down a bit, rest if you must but don't you quit.
Success is failure turned inside out, the silver tint of the clouds of doubt. And you never can tell how close you are. It may be near when it seems so far. So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit. It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.
