Mildred Madalene (Jackson) SMITH

SMITH, JACKSON, RHODES, FISCHER, HALL, WATTS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/4/2009 at 09:21:33

BELMOND, IA - Mildred M. Smith, 85, most recently a resident of the Belmond Health Care Center, a longtime resident of Rowan, formerly of Renwick, and Clarion, and a native of Missouri, died Tuesday (June 30, 2009) at the Belmond Health Care Center, where she had lived since March of 2008. Public visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today, Thursday, July 2, 2009, at the Andrews Funeral Home, 516 First St. S.E., Belmond. A private service will be held Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery near Rowan.

Mildred Madalene Jackson was born on July 3, 1923, at Nishnabotna, Mo., the daughter of Carl S. and Mamie (Rhodes) Jackson. She attended Missouri schools. Mildred was united in marriage to Gordon Smith on March 31, 1946, at Leavenworth Kan. The couple's union was blessed with a son, Earl, and a daughter, Linda. Mildred was a lifelong homemaker who always strived hard to provide for the needs of her family. She had also assisted her husband with the raising of his many wolves over the years. Though her life was not about material things, she truly had a gift of being able to take the simplest piece material, cloth, or a piece of clothing and create a wonderful creation of a toy, doll or make a wearable item. Mildred was passionate about her crocheting and had made many lap blankets, and other gifts for her family and friends. She was in the process of finishing a sweater for her son. She also liked to work various cross word puzzles. Her hobbies kept her quite busy. Her sweet and gentle spirit was a trait that nearly all who ever knew her will remember. She will also be remembered for her amazing perseverance in the face of health issues she faced such as TB, a broken back, and for her being a cancer survivor for many, many years. Those who knew her throughout her life's journey reflect back on her as a lady who was very unselfish and giving to the needs of others before filling her own needs. All who came in contact with her will remember her for her wonderful wit and hilarious sense of humor. She truly took whatever challenges life had to offer her head on and always kept a positive outlook even in adversity.

In addition to living at the Belmond Care Center, she had lived with her son, Earl Smith, in Rowan, from 1991 until March 2008. Prior to that, Mildred had lived in the Renwick/Clarion, Iowa, areas after moving to Iowa from Missouri. Mildred is survived by her son, Earl Smith, Rowan; daughter Linda (Roy) Fischer, Rapid City, S.D.; a granddaughter, Kelly and husband Tony Hall, Grinnell, and their children, Brandon and Kayla Hall; a grandson, Kevin and wife Amy Fischer, Gillette, Wyo., and their children, Austin and Emily Fischer; a sister, Pauline "Melva" Watts, Kansas City, Mo.; and a brother, Larry (Marilyn) Jackson, Oklahoma City, Okla. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Gordon; and brothers, Albert, Bill, Jim, and Bob. Andrews Funeral Home.

Mason City Globe Gazette, Iowa
July 2, 2009