Barbara Smrdel (nee: Zezza), age 86, of Hudson, WI, died on July 17, 2016.

Barbara was born on August 6, 1929 to loving parents, Dan and Margaret Zezza. She spent her entire childhood in the beautiful village of North Hudson, WI and graduated from Hudson High School in 1947. Barbara then received a B.A. in music from St. Catherine’s College and a M.A. in Theology from St. John’s University. For 13 years she was a member of St. Paul’s Monastery and taught at Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Anne’s and Archbishop Murray High School where she was known as Sister Michael.

Barbara married Joseph Smrdel in 1968 and they raised two sons in Stillwater, MN where Barbara directed choirs and gave home piano lessons for several years. Later, she obtained an Ed.S. from the University of Minnesota and was Principal at St. Casimir (St. Paul), Lady of Grace (Edina) and Visitation (Mendota Heights). She retired in 1994 and spent many happy years with husband, Joe, in River Falls and Hudson traveling, volunteering, tending grandchildren and many other activities.

Barbara wants to thank her husband, Joe, for the many happy years they spent together and with their sons and grandchildren. She also wishes to thank the many women who helped her thru the various stages of her life including the sisters of St. Paul Monastery, Gerry Michaels, Anne Lynn, Maureen Trenary, Aunt Betty Zezza and everyone from the Hudson H.S. class of ’47.

Survivors are husband Joe; sons, Brian and Daniel; Kathy (world’s best daughter-in-law); grandchildren: Bennett, Samuel, Bethany, Gabriel, and Nathan; cousin, LuAnn Mayer; and many other cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 PM, with a 7:00 PM prayer service, Thursday, July 21st, at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, 520 11th St. S., Hudson, WI. Mass of Christian will take place at 10:30 AM Friday, July 22, 2016 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 16770 13th St. S., Lake St. Croix Beach, MN, with a visitation a HALF hour prior to the Mass at church. Interment will take place at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Hudson.  Memorials are preferred to St. Patrick’s Catholic School and Doctors Without Borders.

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