Regina Ann Juroszek-Smith

Regina “Gina” Ann Juroszek-Smith, 67, passed away at Westview Health Care Center on Friday, October 6, 2023, in Sheridan, WY.

Regina Ann Juroszek Smith came into this world in the loving arms of her parents Oscar and Bess Juroszek on September 9, 1956, in Sheridan, Wyoming—a place she loved and called home for most of her life. Her time in this world ended all too soon on October 6, 2023, when she returned to our Lord after a hard-fought battle with breast cancer.

Regina (Gina) attended Holy Name School and Sheridan High School. She studied at Sheridan College and Eastern Montana College—earning a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a Masters in Special Education. 

Gina taught in Billings before moving back to Sheridan where she taught a year at Holy Name and then embarked on a 31-year career teaching classic kindergarten, first grade, and second grade at Coffeen Elementary School. Gina loved teaching the ‘little ones’ providing them with a loving foundation and her students loved her in return. Gina knew hundreds of students and their families. She would always stop to visit with someone she knew through teaching. Gina loved to talk, encourage, and reminisce with the people whose lives she had touched.

On March 1, 1997, Gina married Dan Smith, her dance partner for life! Together they raised three sons: Morgan, Mason, and Nico. She loved her boys—all four of them! Being a mother and actively engaged in their sons’ school events and family holiday traditions tapped into her own excitement and wonder. Gina and her family were active in Holy Name Church, developing close bonds with parishioners as well as the many priests and sisters who have served at Holy Name Parish. 

Beyond teaching, Gina loved to dance—and was really good at it! She helped her Dad build the house that would become her home for the next 33 years. Gina had a passion for art, displaying a talent in drawing and sculpture. She won the rodeo’s women’s bootkick competition multiple times and rooted for all of her sons in their own bootkick and barrel racing entries. Gina was generous to others in many ways—providing clothes, toys, school supplies, and books to friends and families that could benefit from them. Her generosity and happiness in helping others had no bounds and were always accompanied by her wonderful smile and non-stop energy.

Gina touched the lives of so many people in a positive way. She will be greatly missed. Gina is survived by her husband Dan Smith; her sons Morgan, Mason, and Nico; her sister Susan (Juroszek) Brophy; her brothers John (Chris) Juroszek and Steve (Sheri) Juroszek, her uncle Nick Couzin, and her best friend Pauline (Booth) Edwards. Her family thanks all of the staff and caregivers at Welch Cancer Center, Sheridan Memorial Hospice, and Westview Healthcare Center for taking care of Gina in her final days.

In lieu of flowers, people are asked to donate school supplies and backpacks to Holy Name School or monetary donations to foodgroupwy.org – community feeding children.

Rosary is at 9:00 A.M., Thursday, October 12, 2023, 10:00 A.M., Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Name Church, with a reception to follow in the Parish Hall. The interment will be in the Sheridan Municipal Cemetery. Online condolences may be made to www.sheridanfuneral.com. Arrangements are under the care of Sheridan Funeral Home.