Alicia Marie Smith (Tandeski) of Bloomer, WI passed away on August 2, 2026 at the age of 40. She was born on November 14, 1985 at Dakota Hospital in Fargo, ND.

Alicia spent her early years in Bagley, MN surrounded by friends and laughter. She enjoyed countless afternoons on the volleyball and basketball courts and filled her school days with music through band and choir. After graduating from Bagley High School in 2004, her curiosity and ambition carried her to St. Cloud State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in communication and journalism in 2008. Alicia later returned to school and earned a master’s degree in human resource management from Saint Mary’s University of MN in 2019.

In 2018, her path crossed with Jason’s in a way neither expected, beginning a partnership that quickly became the center of her world. As their bond deepened through shared adventures, some joyful and other challenging, all of them led to stitching their lives closer together.

In 2021, they welcomed their son Garrett whose arrival filled their home with immeasurable joy and a new kind of love that reshaped their hearts and filled their home.

In 2026, Alicia and Jason were married; although their time as husband and wife was brief, it was filled with tenderness, commitment and the love they had built over years.

While building her family over the years, Alicia spent the past decade building a meaningful career in human resources, a field where her natural gifts shined. She approached her work with compassion, encouragement and a genuine desire to lift others up. She made people feel seen, welcomed and valued. Her impact endures in the many lives she touched and the confidence she helped others find in themselves.

Family was the heartbeat of Alicia’s world. She found her greatest joy in simple, beautiful moments where she loved baking recipes from scratch, capturing memories through her camera lens, exploring new places, getting lost in a good book, or savoring the quiet peace of the outdoors. She embraced life with curiosity, warmth, and an open heart. Alicia’s humor knew no limits and she had no filter. She was known to reach out to others when others might not and would often simply check in and never would forget a birthday or holiday. She faced every battle with her head held high often saying, “It’s all right. I’m fine. Just another day.” No matter how much time had passed she could pick up a conversation exactly where it had left off. She would listen without judgment and often bring a spirited competitiveness to every game.

To all her siblings, she was more than a sister, she was a best friend. Regardless of their different upbringings, they all shared a rare and lasting understanding. She will always be remembered as their beloved big sister.

Alicia is survived by her loving husband Jason Smith and their son Garrett Smith; her mother, Cynthia Eastley of Big Stone City, South Dakota; Bryan Wirries of Moorhead, MN; her brother Brent (Mellisa) Eastley and their daughters Millie and Briella of West Fargo, ND; her brother Michael (Ashley) Wirries and their children Aleah, Charlotte, and Westen of West Fargo, ND; her sister Kim (Ben) Holien and their children Calvin and Millie of Grand Forks, ND; her Aunt Beatrice and Cousin Nell who held a special place in her life; and a large circle of cherished aunts, uncles and cousins whom she loved deeply.

She was preceded in death by her dad Ben Eastley; and her grandparents Lorna and James Tandeski, Phyllis and Don Wirries, and Phyllis and Edward Eastley.

Alicia’s legacy lives on in the love she gave, the kindness she shared and the countless ways she made life brighter for those fortunate enough to know her.

Celebration of Life will be held at 2 pm on Friday, August 21, 2026 at West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center in West Fargo, ND. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.