Smith, Elsie L. (1934-2019)

SMITH, DRAKE, BOND, WILLEY, ANDERSON, BRISCOE, BREEVAART

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 5/31/2019 at 21:21:34

Elsie L. Smith
September 14, 1934 - February 18, 2019

Elsie Loreen (Drake) Smith was born on September 14, 1934, on a farm just outside Buffalo Center, to Lester and Esther (Bond) Drake. She grew up in Buffalo Center, where she was a junior high cheerleader and a high school trumpet player in marching band, graduating from Buffalo Center High School in 1956. After that, she attended Iowa State University for one year where she studied to become a home economics teacher. The following summer, the bank president asked her dad if Elsie would want to work at the Farmers Trust and Savings Bank. She agreed and worked there for over 40 years until she retired.

On January 11, 1958, she married Billy M. Smith at the First Congregational Church in Buffalo Center. Billy built their house, and Elsie made it a home, tending to the garden and raising their four children. They lived their entire married lives in Buffalo Center, celebrating their 61st anniversary just one month ago.

Elsie enjoyed spending time with her family, especially with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved others as well, sending them many encouraging cards. She displayed her love of gardening by taking care of three gardens. A reluctant fisherman, however, she did more reading in the boat than actual fishing.

Elsie had a quiet, gentle spirit. Very active in her church, she sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, served many dinners, and volunteered wherever she was needed. Indeed, Elsie loved her Savior and serving in his church. At the end, Elsie resided at the Timely Mission Nursing Home in Buffalo Center, going home to her Lord and Savior at age 84 on February 18, 2019.

She is survived by her husband, Billy, of Buffalo Center; her children: Cindy Smith, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Randy (Judy) Smith, of Ankeny, and Dan (Diana) Smith, of Urbandale; her grandchildren: Bekah, Jen, and Joy Smith, all of Ankeny; Jonathan (Vanessa) Smith, of Maxwell; and Rachel (Colton) Willey, also of Ankeny; four great-grandchildren: Stephen, Riah, Ellia, and Willy with a fifth on the way; her siblings, Muriel (Roger) Anderson, of Plymouth, Minnesota, and Leslie (Daphney) Drake, of Bristow, Virginia; and her sister-in-law, Jean Drake, of Algona; as well as by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Preceding her in death are her parents; her daughter, Jean Smith; her siblings, Leona Breevaart; Peggy Briscoe; and Charles, Howard, and Ken Drake.

Elsie L. Smith, 84, of Buffalo Center, died on Monday, February 18, 2019, at Timely Mission Nursing Home, Buffalo Center. A funeral service will be held at 11:30 AM on Friday, February 22, 2019, at the First Congregational Church, Buffalo Center. Visitation will take place from 10:00 to 11:30 AM on Friday, February 22, 2019, at the First Congregational Church, Buffalo Center.

Oakcrest Funeral Services ~ Winter Chapel, Buffalo Center, Iowa, 2019.

Winnebago Obituaries maintained by Cheryl Siebrass.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen