11/29/2011 - Marie Smith

Funeral services for Marie E. Smith of Chadron, Nebraska will be held on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 2:00 PM at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Chadron with Reverend Peter Bertram officiating.  Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery. 

Marie Elizabeth, a resident of Chadron since 1942 passed away at the age of 98 on November 25, 2011 at her home in Chadron.

Marie was born on January 11, 1913 to Amanda (Reimers) and Henry Straub in Cherry County in the German Settlement in Crookston, Nebraska.  She was oldest of three girls and grew up on a farm.  She attended Zion Lutheran Church and schools where she learned German and English. 

Marie married Gordon Smith in 1938 in Johnstown, Nebraska.  Six children were born to this union; Marlene Marie (Don Dexter) of Chambers, Nebraska; Bernice Fayne (Darrell Larsen) of Chadron, Nebraska; Roselene Jean (Huff) of Phoenix, Arizona; Caroline Kay (Don Clark) of Rowell, New Mexico; Leola May (Bill Eudy) of Grand Junction, Colorado; Donald Gordon (Janet Dufek) of Port Angeles, Washington.

Marie is survived by all her children, one sister, Alvina Molloy of Kennewick, Washington, eighteen grandchildren, forty-four great grandchildren, eighteen great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Amanda and Henry Straub, a sister Louise Hosler, two infant grandsons, Jeffrey Allen Witte and Mark Jason Witte, great granddaughters Katheryn Alexandra Morris, one month old, and Makayla Ann Larsen, five years old.

Marie was a faithful member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church and taught Sunday school for twenty-five years.  She loved seeing the young children after church with treats of candy.

A memorial has been established for Our Saviors Lutheran Church.  Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE  69337.

Chamberlain Chapel of Chadron is in charge of arrangements.