George H. Smola J
r. 1938-2022
George H. Smola Jr., 83, of Goodrich, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Feb. 25 at First Baptist Church, 751 Grace Way, Medford with Rev. David Clements officiating. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 24 at Hemer-Pickerign Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the service Friday morning at the church.
George was born May 16, 1938 in Athens to George Sr. and Clara (Kropp) Smola. He was a graduate of Rib Lake High School and married his love, Janet Blumenstein in 1959. Together they had four children and farmed, while George also worked in construction.
He played Dairyland ball for many years. In 1982, he made a bold move at league bowling and became a logger. George sold the cows and formed Smola Brothers Logging with his brother Jim. After Jim’s retirement, George purchased the business with his sons, Brian and George III. He continued to work on the farm and in the woods with his sons.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching the Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers, and spending time at his cabin on the Rib River. He loved being outdoors, nature and wildlife. Every year, he looked forward to hunting season at the shack. Most of all George enjoyed being with his family and friends, cookouts and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Janet; children, Kathy Smola, George Smola III, Julie (Jeff) Miller and Brian (Brenda) Smola; five grandchildren, Jason (Amy) Smola, Amanda (Ryan) Peterson, Drew (Katie) Smola, Paige (Kyle) Kubichek, and Gina Miller; siblings, Lorraine Lugo, Ed (Carla) Smola and Jill (Allen) Lekies; brothers and sisters-in-law Alice Smola, Dorthey Franz, Sylvia Blumenstein, Donna Mohr; Barb Blumenstein & Wayne (Betty) Blumenstein; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jim Smola; grandson, Zach Smola; nephew, Ronnie Smola; brothers and sisters-in-law, Frank Lugo, Hartley (June) Blumenstein, Melvin Franz, Sonny Mohr, Eugene Blumenstein, Buddy Blumenstein, Marvin Blumenstein, Darlene (Gordy) Madison, Babe (Gladwyn) Aselson, and Evie Blumenstein.
Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. Online condolences can be left at www.hemerfuneralservice. com.
Paid Obituary 117087
