Gurine Esther Smith, age 92, formerly of Spooner, WI, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 7, 2025 at her residence in Orland Park, IL. She was born on July 17, 1933 in Spooner, WI, the daughter of Donald John and Lila Gurine (Harris) McKeever. She was united in marriage to Raymond Kenneth Smith on July 14, 1951 in Pine City, MN.

Gurine was a dedicated homemaker and was an extremely loving and caring wife, mother and grandmother. She was a faithful and very active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Spooner. She loved to travel and to play cards with family and friends. She also enjoyed bowling and appreciated every frame she could get in.

She is survived by her children, Janet (Kevin Fuchs) Hildebrand of Orland Park, IL and Steven (Beverly) Smith of Valparaiso, IN; her grandchildren, Christopher, Jay, Jeff, Katie, Kristy, Peter and Matt; nine great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and her son-in-law, Chuck Hoecker of Waterloo, IA.

In addition to her parents, Gurine is preceded in death by her husband, Raymond; her daughter Cheryl Hoecker; her sisters, Donna and Margaret McKeever; her brother, Donald McKeever; and her dear grandmother who helped raise her, Annette Johnson.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spooner, WI, where visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the hour of the service. Interment will follow in Spooner Cemetery.

Last Update: Sep 17, 2025 8:11 am CDT