Fern Smith

Fern Smith, 90, of St. Edward, NE passed away Sunday, January 5, 2020 at Cloverlodge Care Center in St. Edward, NE.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, January 9, 2020 at United Methodist Church, St. Edward, NE with Rev. Vernon Olson officiating. Interment will follow at Lingle Cemetery, rural St. Edward, NE. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5-8 p.m. at the church.

Miller-Levander Funeral Home of St. Edward, NE is in charge of the arrangements.

Delora Fern Smith, the daughter of Ivan LeRoy and Ethel Violet (Yetter) Stephens, was born on April 28, 1929 in Nance County, NE. Fern grew up in rural Nance County and attended country school before graduating from St. Edward High School in 1946. She was very proud of the fact that she never missed an alumni banquet in 73 years. Following her high school graduation, Fern was a rural school teacher for a year.

On October 26, 1947, Fern was married to Leland Fay "Smitty" Smith at her Aunt Ruby's house in Council Bluffs, IA. Following their wedding, the couple made their home on a farm south of St. Edward, NE. Fern continued living on the farm until November 14, 2019 when she entered the Cloverlodge Care Center. Fern worked as a clerk at the St. Edward Drug Store, a clerk at the Farmers Union Gas Station, and as a librarian at the St. Edward Public Library.

Fern was a member of the United Methodist Church in St. Edward and also taught Sunday school for many years there. She was also a faithful blood donor to the Red Cross, having donated 20 gallons of blood in her lifetime. Fern enjoyed making baby blankets and cloth books to family members and friends. She is remembered as being a faithful caregiver to both young and old over the years.

Fern is survived by her four children: Jacquelyn (Robert) Grams of Imperial, NE; Tom (Carol) Smith of St. Edward, NE; Carolyn Thompson of Albion, NE; Bill (Janice) Smith of St. Edward, NE; 11 grandchildren: Steve Grams; Jamie (Jeff) Oliver; Bryan (Cindy) Smith; Jennifer (Taylor) Liess; Chris Thompson; Clayton (Amy) Thompson; Carrie (Joey) Gray; Curtis (Kara) Thompson; Debra (Jerry) Johnson; Vicki (Shannon) Brown; Kathy (Nick) Miller; 27 great-grandchildren with another to arrive soon; one great-great-grandchild; sister: Betty Jean Miller of St. Edward, NE; brother: Earl (Kathy) Stephens of St. Edward, NE; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Leland; son-in-law: Larry Thompson; an infant brother; and two sisters: Iola Mahoney and Roberta Cahill.