Smith, Fern M. (Mrs. Roy) 1915-2008

SMITH, TASTOVE, DOUGHERTY

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-Volunteer
Date: 7/2/2014 at 17:13:41

Source: Sioux County Capital Democrat (3-?-2008)

Born: July 31, 1915
Died: March 11, 2008

Fern M. Smith, 92, of Sioux City, formerly of Primghar, died on Tuesday, March 11, at a Sioux City Hospital.

Services were held on Friday morning, March 14, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Primghar, with the Rev. Tim Hogan officiating. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery of Sioux City.

Visitation was held on Thursday, March 13, with a viril wake service at 7:30 P.M., at the church.

Arrangements were under the direction of Armstrong Funeral Home in Mapleton.

Fern Marie Tastove Smith was born on July 31, 1915, in Granville, the daughter of Frank and Lennie (Dougherty) Tastove. She moved with her parents to a farm near Primghar, where she attended rural school in Summit Township.

She graduated from Primghar High School and taught in O’Brien County schools in Highland and Floyd Townships until her marriage. She married Roy Smith in 1935.

She received a bachelor of arts degree from Westmar College in Le Mars in 1965 and her master of arts degree from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion in 1971. Along with teaching in O’Brien County rural schools, she taught in Ashton Public School and Sheldon Public Schools for several years. She taught in St. Edwards, Minnesota, and after moving to Denver, Colorado, in 1976, she taught at Our Lady of Fatima and substituted in the Adams District 50 in Denver.

She moved to Sioux City in 1982 and, for a time, substituted in Sioux City Elementary Schools. She was a life member of the National Education Association. She was a member of the National Retired Teachers Association, the Court Bernadette of the Catholic Daughters of America in Sheldon, the Alpha Tau Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma International Honorary Society, Nativity Catholic Church and Guild in Sioux City, the Catholic Women’s League and the Carmel Light Guild as well as a charter member of the Queen of Peace.

Survivors include son and his wife Roger and Marcia Smith of Primghar, daughter-in-law Sue Smith of South Sioux City, 14 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Beverly Willems, infant son Stephen, son Robert and grandson Casey.