Mike "Smitty" Smits

Mike “Smitty” Smits, age 65, of De Pere, passed away at his home on July 17, 2020 with family at his side following a 2-year battle with cancer. The son of Donald “Fling” and Phyllis (VanEss) Smits was born December 25, 1954 in De Pere, attended St. Mary Grade School and graduated East De Pere High School. On April 27, 1985, he married Darlene Bruegge at Old St. Joe’s Church in De Pere. Mike worked at Ft. Howard/Georgia Pacific for 38 years in addition to serving the City of De Pere as a paid on-call firefighter for over 30 years. After retirement he drove part-time for Rennes Nursing Home and Assisted Living, enjoyed driving and delivering for Valley Cabinet and was on the board for Wings Over Wisconsin. His many hobbies and interests include: going to the cottage, especially cutting the trail up north, making booyah, taking family trips, camping. One of his greatest joys was spending time with his kids and grandkids. He loved being the host of “Mike’s Bar” in his garage, and enjoyed much time spent with family and friends, as well as watching the Packers, Brewers, Badgers and NASCAR.
Survivors include his wife, Darlene (Bruegge) Smits; 3 daughters: Stephanie (Ryan) Remondini and their children Wyatt and Claire of De Pere, Kimberly (Logan) Hendricks and their daughter Olivia of De Pere, Jennifer Smits at home; brothers and sisters: Sue (Jim) Steffen, Bill (Renee) Smits, Judy (Paul) Gray, Larry (Carrie) Smits, Peggy (Brian) Johnson, Joe (Holly) Smits and Bob (Lori) Smits. He is further survived by brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Ben (Terry) Riemer, Dan (Gail) Bruegge, David (Christen) Bruegge, Debra (Keith) Ott, Becky (Gary) Oeder; brother-in-law Jim Stoffel and sister-in-law Linda Bruegge; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
In addition to his parents, Donald “Fling” and Phyllis, Mike was preceded in death by his sister Linda (Stoffel) Smits; brother-in-law Dennis Bruegge; Dar’s parents: Gerald and Eunice Bruegge.
Family and friends may visit at Cotter Funeral Home, 860 N Webster Ave, De Pere, on Monday, July 20, from 3pm until 7pm. Knights of Columbus, De Pere Council 3955, prayer service at 7:00 pm at the funeral home followed by a parish prayer service to conclude the evening. Visitation will continue on Tuesday, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 4805 Sportsman Drive, Ledgeview (De Pere), from 9:00 am until 10:15 am. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am with the Rev. Matthew Faucett officiating and the Rev. John H. Harper as homilist. Burial in Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery, De Pere.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established.