Obituaries

Agnes Elizabeth Borton Smith, 105, of Eau Claire passed away on Friday, March 7, 2025, with her granddaughters by her side.

Agnes was born the youngest of seven children on February 20, 1920, to Norwegian immigrant parents, Edward Engebrecht and Anna Marie (Moen) Borton on Erin Street in Eau Claire. She graduated from Eau Claire Senior High School in 1938. After high school, she married William D. Smith and moved to Virginia to work in the state capital during WWII. After the war, she moved into a house that her father had built, where she eventually lived for 80 years. Her son Steven Edward Smith was born on November 25, 1949, and later her daughter Linda was born on December 13, 1954. Agnes was a very dedicated and loving mother. In 1956, together Agnes and Bill started Smith Funeral Chapel on Farwell Street. Later, in 1959, they moved to a new location and built from scratch. Agnes was the backbone of Smith Funeral Chapel and spent many hours working behind the scenes, answering phones all hours of the day and night for decades. Her world changed on October 29, 1981, when she lost her daughter, Linda and later again on January 18, 2011, when she lost her son, Steven.

Agnes was a dedicated sibling, daughter, mother, and grandmother and she spent a lot of time talking about her family in her final days. She was a great cook, especially her meatballs, which she would make for her granddaughters all the time when they were little. Agnes was an avid reader and enjoyed dolls, buttons, history, doodling, calligraphy, telling stories, spending time with her neighbors, and Norway. Living through the great depression and WWII shaped the way she conducted her life. Agnes never wasted and saved everything. Although she stood at a whopping 4 feet 11 inches on a good day, she could drive a huge RV across country and once drove to Alaska with 13 flat tires on the way there and back. She loved traveling with her husband and her children. Agnes had platinum blonde hair thanks to her beloved hairdresser of over 60 years, Larry. She always looked well put together and beautiful all the way down to her earrings for every occasion. Agnes was a woman of great style-she was timeless. She was a member of First Lutheran Church for many years and later Spirit Lutheran Church. Agnes enjoyed being involved in many clubs during her life, her favorites being Doll and Button Club.

Agnes became a grandma at 70 years old and a great grandma at 99 years old. She was a kind and loving grandma and always supported her grandchildren’s interests with great enthusiasm. Agnes would call the funeral home multiple times a day to check on her granddaughters and she worked well into her 90s. She greeted all the funeral directors who would stop by the funeral home and assisted with their needs. During her last five months she lived with her granddaughter, Eliza, and great-grandchildren, Saul and Opal.

Agnes is survived by her granddaughters, Erin Linda Smith (Christopher Sand) of Fall Creek and Eliza Opal Smith of Eau Claire; 4 great-grandchildren, Saul, Opal, Ezra, and Estes; many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Agnes was preceded in death by her husband, William D. Smith; son, Steven E. Smith; daughter, Linda L. Smith; and all her siblings.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Mayo Home, Health, and Hospice for their excellent care, Meals on Wheels of Eau Claire, Terri Johnson for her wonderful care the last 5 months, and Saul and Opal for tucking her in at night.

Funeral services will be Friday, March 21, 2025, at 11:00 am at Spirit Lutheran Church with Pastor JonPaul Dragseth officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, March 20, 2025, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Smith Funeral Chapel and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. The burial will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Eau Claire County Humane Association.