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ORVAL & DELORES SMITH
Ownership Date: 1957 - 1986
Property Name: Humbird Hotel & Bar
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Orval Smith:
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Birth: October 6, 1921
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Death: January 8, 1985 (aged 63)
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Delores Smith (Tillie):
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Birth: July 19, 1924
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Death: July 10, 2002 (aged 77)
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Orval and Delores were locally known as Orv and Tillie. At this time we believe that they were the longest running owners of the property (19 years).
When Lucas Eisberner visited The Humbird he brought in a delightful wooden bar chip to show us which was used during Tillie and Orval's time at The Humbird.
Orval's obituary mentions his ownership of The Humbird, and a little insight into his past:
Orval G. Smith, 63, of Humbird passed away Tuesday afternoon, January 8, while stacking wood on his property just east of Humbird.
The deceased was the son of Wray and Emma (Dehmlow) Smith and was born October 6, 1921, in Mauston. He married Delores Kaufman on February 10, 1945, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Fairview. The couple farmed for 12 years in the Town of Cleveland, Jackson County, before purchasing the Hotel Bar in Humbird which they have operated for 27 years. Orval had been the Humbird Chief for 23 years.
He is survived by his wife, Delores of Humbird; a daughter, Lorene Noyes, Eau Claire; two brothers, Kenneth and William, both of Monroe; three sisters, Lorraine Nemit of Trempealeau, Shirley Billerbeck of Osseo and Millie Byrns off Merrillan; and by two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Iola Printz.
Funeral services were held Friday, January 11, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Fairview with Father Cassidy officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. The Anderson Funeral Home in Augusta was in charge of arrangements. ~ Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) January 17, 1985
Delores obituary also mentions her ownership of The Humbird, and a little insight into her past:
Delores "Tillie" Smith age 77 died Wednesday, July 10, at the Clairemont Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility in Eau Claire.
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Delores was born in the town of Cleveland, Jackson Co., on July 19, 1924 to Joe and Ursula (Brandstedter) Kaufman.
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She was married to Orval Smith on February 10, 1945, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Fairview. They farmed in the Fairchild area from 1945 until 1956. They owned and operated the Humbird Hotel and Bar from 1957 until 1986.
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Delores was a wonderful baker and constantly baked for the family and friends. After giving up her pool and card leagues, when retiring from the hotel and bar, she enjoyed playing bingo and casinos and trying her luck with lotteries. Delores will be remembered by her friends, for her strength and light-hearted spirit.
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Surviving is her daughter, Lorene and son-in-law Doug of Eau Claire; her grandchildren, Cassandra "Candy" Noyes, Robinsdale, MN, and D.J (Jennifer) Noyes, Prior Lake, MN; a brother, Charles Kaufman, and a sister, Arelia Larson, both of Fairchild; and hosts of other relatives and friends.
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Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband Orval in 1985, her sister Bernadette, and four brothers, Laverne, Lawrence, John and Norman.
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Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11:00 a.m., Monday July 15, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Fairview with Rev. David Ziegelmaier officiating. Interment of Cremains was at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. ~ Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark County, WI) July 2002