Ruth Lavon Smith

Ruth L. Smith, 82, of Ansley, died Thursday, May 17, 2012, at the Golden Living Center in Broken Bow. Private family graveside services will be Monday in the Douglas Grove Cemetery, near Comstock. Pastor Don Schauda will officiate. There will be no public visitation. Peters Funeral Home of Loup City is in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Smith was born on Nov. 20, 1929, in rural Iuka, Illinois, the daughter of James Orin and Lillie Mae (Peters) Jones. She was united in marriage to Darrell L. Smith on Nov. 23, 1946, at Salem, Ill. She is survived by five sons and three daughters-in-law, Dan and Gloria Smith of Merna, Mike Smith of Elm Creek, Randall and Carrie Smith of Santa Rosa, Calif., Mark and Ruth Smith of Dayton, Iowa and Vince Smith of Sheldon, Wash.; one brother and sister-in-law, Dale and Velma Jones of Flora, Ill.; and three sisters and one brother-in-law, Evelyn McDaneld of Kell, Ill., Wilda and Henry Buie of St. Charles, Ill. and Donna Jones of Salem, Ill. She is also survived by 19 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. Ruth grew up in rural Iuka and attended country school in the area. As a young woman, she worked at the Brown Shoe Factory in Salem, Ill. After her marriage to Darrell the couple farmed mostly around Custer County, having lived in the Broken Bow, Sargent and Comstock communities. They retired in 1990 and once again lived in various communities in the area. Darrell died on Nov. 6, 2010, and she continued to live in Ansley the rest of her life. Ruth enjoyed flowers, and reading all kinds of books, especially her Bible. She loved housekeeping and cooking for her family. In addition to her husband, Darrell, she was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Dennis Smith; one daughter-in-law, Barbara Smith; one granddaughter, Delania Smith; and four brothers, Eugene, Harold, Jim and Gary Jones. Memorials are suggested to the family's choice.