Wylene Joyce Smith

Wylene J. Smith, 86, passed away peacefully on July 18, 2022, at South Haven Living Center in Wahoo, NE. Wylene was a long-time resident of Albion before moving to Wahoo in 2015.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, July 22, 2022, at Levander Funeral Home in Albion, NE with Rev. Lynde Linde officiating. Interment will be at Main Cemetery, Belgrade, NE. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Wylene Joyce Smith, daughter of Francis Garrett and Velda Mae (Wilson) Courtney, of Loretto, NE was bron on August 18, 1935. She was baptized and confirmed in the United Methodist Church in Loretto, where she was a lifetime member. She attended grade school in Loretto and then at Albion Public School, graduating with the class of 1953. Upon graduation she worked for George Stewart, hand painting black and white photos.

On January 23, 1955, Wylene was united in marriage to Dewey Henry Smith at the Baptist Church in Grand Island, NE. Early in their marriage they lived in Newman Grove, NE and Wichita, KS. Four children were born to this union. They lost two sons consecutively during this time, and then had two daughters that they lovingly raised. They moved back to Nebraska in 1960, and shortly thereafter, they bought a greenhouse in Fairbury, NE. In 1963 they purchased a farm just east of Albion, where they built, owned and operated Smith's Greenhouse & Nursery for 27 years.

More than anything, Wylene loved spending time with her beloved grandchildren and later in life, her great-grandchildren too. She loved growing flowers and gardening; canning everything she grew. She loved dances, sewing, crocheting, all types of crafts, fishing, camping, playing cards, and owning her own ceramic shop and selling her beautiful art. She especially enjoyed trips to Oregon to see her parents, siblings, and family. She also enjoyed when her big brother Eldon and family would make trips to Albion.

Wylene is survived by her two daughters: Debi (Keith) Street of Yutan, NE; Becky Skowronski of Wahoo, NE; four grandchildren: Michael (Candice) Casper; Monica (Adam) Wilson; Andrew (Josie) Casper; Ashley (Ethan Mays) Casper; eight great-grandchildren: Aiden; Landon; Ariana; Ella; Kendrik; Payton; Haydon; Aurora; three siblings: Eldon (Joan) Courtney of Beaverton, OR; Jim (Deb) Courtney of Seaside, OR; Dan Courtney of Lapine, NE; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two infant sons: Steven Dale and Dennis Lynn; husband Dewey; two sisters: Leona "Nan" Smalley; Leoda "Jones" Spiegel; brother: Larry Courtney; brother-in-law: Dale and Leah (Rolf) Smith; and father-in-law and mother-in-law: Harley and Minnie (Schoening) Smith.