Rose M. Smith

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She always - even in the toughest moments - kept a positive attitude and to the end she knew 'We are so blessed'.

Rose Marie VanDerLoop Smith passed away from cancer on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 in Marshfield Medical Center in Eau Claire with her siblings by her side.

Rose was born in Ladysmith, WI on June 17, 1949, eldest daughter of Paul and Mildred (Charais) VanDerLoop.

Rose loved her family and friends with intensity. The welfare of her family, friends and neighbors was of utmost importance to her. She was trained as a nurse's assistant and worked in health care, with developmentally disabled adults and the deaf.

As a member of Weyerhaeuser United Methodist Church Rose was a devoted volunteer at neighborhood and church functions, a member of the WUMC Garden Club and worked in the Food Pantry. She had the greenest of green thumbs and for years her family and friends benefited from her garden production. Even at the end she was picking tomatoes for freezing. She was an avid apple procurer for her brother’s apple juice business and met new people while scouting for apple trees.

She was known for her gifts of canned and baked goods to family and friends and her never-to-be surpassed raspberry cream cheese pie. Rose was a vicious Hand & Foot card player, a tireless washer of dishes and collector of pretty things. She was a lover of lovely days. She always - even in the toughest moments - kept a positive attitude and to the end she knew “We are so blessed”.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Marshal Smith and her younger son, Sean Guy.

She is survived by her son, Ian Guy; grandchildren, Nicalai (Jasmine) Chananna, Celina Guy, Jack (Gina) Guy and Violet Guy; great-grandchild, Sebastian Guy; siblings, Suzanne Dougherty, MaryLou VanDerLoop, Beth VanDerLoop, Margy (Ed) Thompson, Steven (Caroline) VanDerLoop, Catherine VanDerLoop, Barbara Asbury, Celia VanDerLoop and Becky (Scott Goren) VanDerLoop; and nephews and nieces. She was also an honorary grandmother to Lexi and many others.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, October 11, 2026 beginning at 12:00 PM. A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 PM with Rev. Mark A. Bartlett officiating and a lunch to follow at 3:00 PM. All to be held at Weyerhaeuser United Methodist Church, W14419 Church St., Weyerhaeuser.

Memorials in Rose’s name are requested for the Weyerhaeuser United Methodist Church Food Pantry.

A complete obituary will also be published in the Ladysmith News.