Opal Marie Smith 1921 - 2016

SMITH, CRANDALL

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/12/2017 at 18:59:59

Sioux City Journal
4 January 2017

SIOUX CITY | Opal Marie Smith, of Sioux City, was called to be with God on Dec. 31, 2016.

A celebration of life service will be Sunday. Please contact Cecil Warren Smith at 239-218-4053 for more information. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel.

Opal Marie Smith was born in Breda, Iowa, on Dec. 22, 1921. She was adopted at age 22 months by John and Eva Crandall of Dallas, S.D. Opal graduated from Gregory (S.D.) High School in May 1941.

She married Ralph W. Smith on Sept. 2, 1941, in Paxton, S.D. They farmed during World War II and moved to Sioux City in 1947. In addition to being a homemaker, Opal was the north side Avon Lady since 1971. She retired 10 years ago, saying her customers were her friends.

Opal enjoyed being with her family, traveling to most all of the states, Canada and Mexico. She documented her life and travels with her notes and photo albums, being a passenger in open cockpit airplanes and being a pious lifelong Catholic.

Opal is survived by three sons, Cecil Warren Smith of Fort Myers, Fla., Paul Leslie Smith and Gene Russell Smith, both of Sioux City; four grandchildren, Samantha Schutt of Solon, Iowa, Amanda Cooper of Winston-Salem, N.C., Dana Smith of Le Mars, Iowa, and Lanita Oceanne Soleil of Homestead, Fla.; and five great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Peter, Josie, Grant, and Matthew.

While Opal never had the honor to know her biological mother, Regina Boeckman, she enjoyed meeting her five half brothers and sisters. They are Del Rae Dickes and Gerard Weinandt of Yankton, S.D. Opal survived three of her half siblings, Desales Weinandt of Yankton, Vivonne Atchison of Baton Rouge, La., and Maurita Weinandt of Tarzana, Calif.