Dorothy F. Smith

Funeral Services for Dorothy F. Smith will be conducted from the Evangelical Free Church in Loomis, Nebraska on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Tom Thompson, officiating. Interment will be in the Moses Hill Cemetery in Phelps County, Nebraska.

Dorothy Fern Smith, 91 years of age, of Holdrege, Nebraska, (formerly of Loomis) passed away on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at the Christian Homes Care Community at Holdrege. She was born December 5, 1917 at Beaver City, Nebraska, the second of three children of Clyde Conner and Ethel Fern (Ayars) Leach. Dorothy received her education at Beaver City, graduating from Beaver City High School with the class of 1935.

Following her education, Dorothy was united in marriage to Wilmer George "Smitty" Smith on November 18, 1942 at Norton, Kansas. To this union four children were born: Terry, Jo Ann, Clark and Mark. The family made their home in Holdrege, where Smitty was part owner of Smith's Sinclair and Dorothy's focus was raising her children. The couple later purchased the Westside Service Station in Loomis, which they operated until their retirement. Dorothy enjoyed the years she spent as an assistant cook at the Loomis Public Schools.

On December 6, 2002, she was preceded in death by her husband, Wilmer. In February of 2003, she moved to Chrisoma West Assisted Living and in March of 2007, Dorothy began to make her home at the Christian Homes Care Community in health care, where she resided until her passing.

Dorothy was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church in Loomis and very involved throughout the years with the United Methodist Women until the closing of the church. She enjoyed bible study and played piano for several years for the church. Dorothy loved scrap booking, crafts, was a Cub Scout leader, and more than anything she loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

She leaves to mourn her passing her four children: Terry Smith of Sterling, Illinois, Jo Ann Virden and her husband, William of Denver, Colorado, Clark Smith and his wife, Marci of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Mark Smith and his wife, Sheila of Holdrege; 23 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law: Roberta Watson and her husband, Warren of Lincoln and Betty Leach of Beaver City; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides her husband, Smitty, she was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Conner Leach; and one sister, Bernice Sheets.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at the Evangelical Free Church in Loomis from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established and kindly suggested to the Christian Homes Care Community.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.