Smith, Frances (1924-2007)
SMITH, BIRLINGMAIR, MITCHELL, HENSON, KOCH, WALLACE, BUCKENDAHL, GIBBINS, WATTS, MORGAN, WALKER
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 4/14/2010 at 13:03:11
Frances Smith - Apr. 17, 1924 - Feb. 15, 2007
Frances Pauline Smith, age 82, of Lakeside, Iowa, died Thursday, February 15, 2007, at Spencer Municipal Hospital in Spencer.
Frances Pauline Birlingmair was born April 17, 1924, at Sumner, Iowa, to Robert Henry and Ena Lucinda (Mitchell) Birlingmair. She was baptized as an infant in the Methodist faith and later confirmed her faith as a youth. The family moved to O’Brien County, Iowa, and Frances attended school there. She was active in 4-H as a youth. Frances loved to sing and especially enjoyed her participation in chorus during her school years. She was a good student and was the O’Brien County Spelling Bee Champion. Frances graduated from Primghar High School in 1942.
On December 5, 1942, Frances was united in marriage to Russell L. Smith in the Central Christian Church in Elgin, Texas. She and Russell were married 64 years last December. The couple were blessed with eight children: Rosemary, Karen, Alice, Marian, James, Susan, Kevin and Lori.
Frances was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church and a longtime member of the United Methodist Church in Storm Lake. She celebrated her love for her Lord by serving where she was needed. She was a member of the Epworth League.
Russell and Frances enjoyed camping and were members of the Good Sam Camping Club. Frances also enjoyed membership in the VFW Auxilliary and Golden K Kiwanis. She loved to dance, crochet and play cards. Her love of music and singing was lifelong.
A loving wife and devoted mother, Frances treasured her family. In her later years, she found special joy in her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Her gentle presence and caring ways will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Russell Smith, of Lakeside, Iowa; children: Rosemary (Howard) Henson of Storm Lake; Karen (Leonard) Koch of South Sioux City, Nebraska; Alice (Wayne) Wallace of St. Peters, Missouri; Marian (Harvey) Buckendahl of Storm Lake; James (Michelle) Smith of LeMars, Iowa; Susan (Michael) Gibbins of Olathe, Kansas; Kevin (Sandy) Smith of Oelwein, Iowa; and Lori (Scott) Watts of Lawton, Iowa; 25 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; brother David (Marlene) Birlingmair of Ames, Iowa; seven sisters-in-law; one brother-in-law; many nieces and nephews; extended family and friends; and one special companion, Frances’ dog, Prince.
Frances was preceded in death by parents, two sisters: Roberta Morgan and Mildred Walker; two brothers: Hank Birlingmair and William Birlingmair; three grandchildren: Benjamin, Sarah and Allison Watts; and two great-grandsons: Zachary Henson and Joshua Mitchell.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Smith will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 20, 2007, at the United Methodist Church in Storm Lake. Burial will follow at Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.
Friends may call from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, February 19, 2007, at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake where the family will be present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Copyright © 2007, Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home
Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home
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