Somers – Joel Ellen Smith, age 85, passed away at Brookside Care Center on Monday, February 18, 2019.

Joel was born in Chicago, IL on October 31, 1933 to Thomas and Edith Martin and graduated from McHenry Community High School. In the early 1950's, while dancing at Arthur Murray Dance Studio, she met a handsome young man by the name of Jack Lester Smith. They fell in love and were married at the Congregational Church in Kenosha on March 26, 1955. As it was a mutual passion for dancing that brought them together, Joel Ellen & Jack founded and operated "EZ Dance Studios" in Racine, Kenosha and Waukegan – teaching the art of dance to thousands of people throughout our community. She was also employed as a switchboard operator at Illinois Bell Telephone Company.

Among her interests, Jo enjoyed camping, traveling, flower gardening, painting, swimming and the shores of Lake Michigan. Above all, her favorite was spending time with her loved ones – especially her adored grandchildren.

Surviving are her children, Jaquenette "Jackie" (Paul) Albert, Jill Cox and Jay (Karen) Smith; grandchildren, Stacie (husband, Rob Kahl) Albert, Zachary Albert, Joshua Albert, Keegan Cox and Kyler Schwenn; sister-in-law, Janis (Mac Lennon) Marks; brother-in-law, Jim (Jane) Smith; nieces, nephews, dance studio family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Jack Smith; father, Thomas Martin; mother Edith Barca; sisters, Anna (Norman) Feely and Margaret Starliper; and by Jack's parents, Lester and Leona (nee: Hartnell) Smith.

Services celebrating Joel's life will be held on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at 11:00 am in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Tuesday from 10:00 – 11:00 am. Private interment will take place at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Memorials to Safe Harbor Humane Society (Kenosha) have been suggested.

Special note of thanks to Dr. Christopher Cook & staff, Aurora Medical Center, Aurora Hospice, Aurora at Home and Brookside Care Center for the compassionate care & support given in Joel's time of need.

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