Elizabeth Marie Smerak

Elizabeth “Liz” Marie Soellner Smerak died peacefully at The Oaks Health Center in Denville, NJ on Monday, May 22, 2023, at the young age of 99 years. The daughter of Johann Soellner and Elisabetha Weinig Soellner, she was born August 11, 1923, in Nuremberg, Germany.

Liz immigrated to the United States with her parents in 1928 at 5 years old. She attended the New York City public school system and graduated from high school at 16 years old. Her education continued at Queens College where she graduated by age 19 with honors in Biology, German and English. At Queens College is where she met her future husband Louis “Lou” Smerak. After graduation, Lou joined the Army Air Corp where Liz and Lou continued their courtship through daily written letters. The two married January 20, 1943. After the war, they moved to Little Neck, NY where Liz taught at the elementary school. They later settled in Wayne, NJ where Liz kept her days busy raising her two sons, Lance and Mark, and volunteering at Chilton Hospital. Liz returned to school where she attended Seton Hall University and received her Master’s Degree in Psychology and Counseling.

Liz loved to see the world. She would plan family vacations to explore new places and when Lou retired, they began to travel the world more extensively. Liz always had an appreciation for many of the US National Parks that she would visit often. Liz’s affection for her family was a top priority. She loved to have the family together. From holidays and birthdays at the Hofbrau, to BBQ’s at Masten Lake, to weeknight dinners at the Pompton Queen, family meant everything to Liz, human and dog alike.

Liz is survived by her loving sons, Lance and Mark, grandchildren, Brent, Keith, Heather and Amanda and great-grandchildren, Billy, Joey, Julie and Zack. She was predeceased by her husband, Lou in 2006.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, from 4-6pm with a prayer service on Thursday, June 1, 2023, 9am at Morrison Etheridge Funeral Home, 86 Bartholdi Ave, Butler, NJ. Burial will immediately follow the service at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Wurtsboro, New York.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the World Wildlife Fund.

https://www.worldwildlife.org