Deana "Dee" Lynn Smith

Deana “Dee” Lynn Smith

1969–2026

Deana “Dee” Lynn Smith, 57, of Kenosha, passed away on November 9, 2026, following her courageous fight with breast cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family.

Deana was born on March 19, 1969, in Kenosha, the daughter of Michael and Patricia “Paddy” (Schmidt) Wright. She was educated in the Kenosha school system and graduated from Bradford High School in 1987. Deana married Kevin Smith on September 7, 1990, in Kenosha. For the past 18 years, Deana worked as the office manager for Limbach Family Chiropractic. She also enjoyed working part-time as a bartender at various establishments throughout Kenosha, where she formed many lasting friendships. Deana also served as a youth director at Lord of Life Lutheran Church for many years. Her faith and love for children were evident in the safe and welcoming environment she created for them. She approached her role by being the hands and feet of Jesus—meeting people right where they were, teaching them about faith, and sharing God’s love with everyone she encountered. She touched many lives through her years of service. Deana had a love for life and knew how to make memories. She enjoyed traveling, especially trips to the Wisconsin Dells, Fort Worth, Texas, and San Francisco, California. She loved reading true crime books, watching her favorite television shows, and sharing those little traditions with her daughter, including watching ER, Grey’s Anatomy, House, Lost, and Gilmore Girls together. Dee also loved the simple pleasures in life: bar hopping with friends (Stick N Move), Sunday Fundays, Shake of the Day, pull tabs, quarter machines, bike rides, and the occasional adventure. She especially loved gathering with friends and family on The Patio, which she affectionately considered her happy place. Her bar friends held a special place in her heart, and the friendships she made along the way meant so much to her. Bartenders, go to your nearest bar and have a “Safety Meeting” in honor of Dee! Deana was a thoughtful gift giver who loved making holidays special, including the tradition of putting together adult Christmas stockings. She also cherished traditions like Deer Hunters’ Widow Weekend, which began as a getaway for the ladies and eventually grew to include the kids. Whether it was sharing stories, laughter, or singing along to her favorite Stevie Nicks song, “Gypsy,” Dee had a way of making people feel welcome and loved. Above all, Deana treasured spending time with her friends and family. Her greatest joy was being surrounded by the people she loved, and she held a special place in her heart for her grand-puppy, Kilo Marie.

Survivors include her husband, Kevin Smith; her children, Gavin Smith and Sydnee Jane (Brandon) Reck; her father, Michael Wright; her sisters, Robin (Dan) Evans, and Kerry (Jason Ottum) Wright all of Kenosha; Angelita (Jason Schroeder) Gonzalez of Racine; Mother in law, Claudy Smith of Kenosha; Brother in laws Nathan (Pierette) Smith of Emeryville, CA; Joshua (Sarah Collins) Smith of Gilbert, AZ; Chas (Shanna) Taipale of Fort Worth, TX; her nieces, Emma and Lily Evans;nephew, Callan Ottum; nieces, Tia and Harper Smith; nephews, Kaiden and Sawyer Smith, and Townes Taipale. Deana was preceded in death by her mother, Patricia “Paddy” Wright.

A Celebration of Life (Deana wanted a party!) will be held Saturday, December 5th, from 1100-3PM. The bar will be open to our guests only during this time. Starlite Club, 8936 24th Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53143.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice Alliance in Deana’s memory at www.Hospicealliance.org.

Dee leaves behind a lifetime of memories, friendships, laughter, and love. Though her time here was far too short, the lives she touched and the memories she created will live on in all who knew her.