Lily M Smith

Funeral Services for Lily M. Smith will be conducted from the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska on Monday, December 29, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend Alex Brodine, officiating. Interment will be in the Fridhem Lutheran Cemetery at Funk, Nebraska.

Lily May Smith, 90 years of age of Holdrege, passed away on Monday, December 22, 2008 at Holdrege Memorial Homes. She was born on November 7, 1918 in Phillips County, Kansas, the daughter of Thomas and Rosa (Wolfe) Rolland. Her family lived in Republican City, Nebraska, where she attended grade school. They later moved to a farm south of Republican City, where she completed her schooling at the Crystal Creek School. Lily and her family enjoyed playing instruments and singing on several occasions.

Following her education, Lily was united in marriage to Grant David Smith. The couple made their home in Brewster, Kansas. Grant was inducted into the United States Army and the couple resided at an air base in Washington State. To this union three children were born: David, Sheryl and Ronald. The family moved to Orleans, Nebraska and later settled in Alma, Nebraska. Lily was employed at the Alma Café, the motel and the Phelps Rest Home in Alma. In 1965, Lily moved to Holdrege, where she worked at Methodist Memorial Homes retiring after 20 years of service.

Lily loved spending time with her grandchildren, tending to her yard, going for walks and writing poetry. Her last few years were spent at Holdrege Memorial Homes, where she enjoyed the many activities, especially Bingo and folding towels.

She leaves to mourn her passing her three children: David Smith of Lincoln, Nebraska, Sheryl Ellison and her husband, Jim of Funk, and Ronald Smith of Holdrege; six grandchildren: Gina Schmalz and her husband, Matthew of Holdrege, Stacy Paulson and her husband, Jon of Cedar Springs, Michigan, Michael Smith of Lincoln, Sharon Cherry and her husband, Jim of Hildreth, Nebraska, Justin Smith of Omaha, Nebraska and Janelle Smith of Valley, Nebraska; two step-grandchildren: Valerie Stevens and her husband, Bill of Polk, Nebraska and Missy Riley of Fairbury, Nebraska; ten great-grandchildren: Payton, Jaydin, Brayden and Raygen Schmalz, Natalie and Ethan Paulson, Tyler, Tasha, Tonya and Cheyenne Cherry; two step great-grandchildren: Mackenzie Stevens and Michael Riley; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Jesse Rolland and his wife, Lillian; three sisters: one sister in infancy and Maggie Rolland and Galva Sims and her husband, Alvin.

Lily will lie in state at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege on Sunday, December 28, 2008 from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

A memorial has been established in her memory and kindly suggested to the Holdrege Memorial Homes-Chapel Fund.

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.