Mrs. Ira (Maria Swenson) Dresser Smith 1877-1973

SMITH, SWENSON, MCWILLIAMS, DRESSER, BURROUGHS, VAN ALLEN WALLACE, HARRIS, PRICE

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 2/20/2005 at 09:39:43

Maria Lauree Swenson Smith

Services were conducted in the Community Presbyterian Church, Postville, Saturday, April 28, at 3:30 p.m. for Mrs. Ira (Maria) Smith who died at the Postville Good Samaritan Center, Wednesday, April 25. The Rev. Dick Harberts officiated. Mrs. Smith had only recently moved to the Center, having made her home with the Foster Burroughs in Waterloo since August, 1970.

Maria Lauree Swenson, eldest daughter of Evan and Eliza McWilliams Swenson, was born near Postville, December 11, 1877. She spent her childhood on a farm across from the Bethel United Brethren Church northeast of Postville and received her education in the rural schools.

On February 9, 1898, she was united in marriage to Arthur Dresser who died in 1930. On October 11, 1933, she was married to Ira E. Smith who died in April, 1948.

Mrs. Smith spent most of her life in and around Postville. She was an active member of the Community Presbyterian Church and United Presbyterian Women's Association.

Surviving are Mrs. Foster (Evelyn) Burroughs of Waterloo, who Mrs. Smith had raised from infancy; three sisters, Mrs. Jerone (Kate) Van Allen of Chicago, Illinois; Mrs. George (Ethyle) Wallace of Pompano Beach, Florida and Mrs. Joe (Lillian) Harris of Seattle, Washington; also three brothers, Frank Swenson of Snohomish, Washington and Hall and Allison Swenson of Pompano Beach, Florida. There are four step children, Ethelyn Smith of Manchester; Mrs. Arthur (Pearl) Price, Clinton and Lester Smith all of Postville, several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her two husbands, three brothers and two sisters.

Interment was in the Postville Cemetery.

-Postville Herald, 1973 - contributed by Mary Durr