Lola J. Smith

Lola Jane Smith was born at Coal Creek, Iowa, March 10, 1917, the daughter of Alonzo and Sina Sydney Heild Briggs. At age 7 the family moved to Gibson, Iowa where she was graduated from high school. She then attended Thompson?s Beauty School in Des Moines and upon graduation opened her own shop in What Cheer, Iowa. On December 28, 1940, Lola was united in marriage with Russell V. Smith at the Little Brown Church at Nashua, Iowa. Their union was blessed with two sons, Terry and James. They made their home in Ames, Iowa, until Russell graduated from college in 1945. Russell then spent three years in the service and Lola followed him from the east coast to the west coast working in various beauty shops where he was stationed. After Russell?s discharge they returned to Iowa and made their home in Algona and Des Moines. Russell?s career then took them to Longmont, Colorado, Julesburg, Colorado and Holdrege, Nebraska where Lola continued to work in beauty salons. In 1954 they moved to Denison, Iowa where Lola was employed for a time at Auld?s Flower Shop and Greenhouse and later at Kinzle?s. In her spare time she enjoyed traveling with Russell, playing bridge, golfing and reading. Russell died December 21, 1992. In April of 2006, Lola moved to the Regency Nursing and Rehab Center in Carroll, Iowa where her death occurred Monday afternoon, September 22, 2008. At the time of her death she had been blessed with 91 years, 6 months and 12 days. Including her parents, Alonzo and Sina Briggs and her husband, Russell, Lola was also preceded in death by one brother, Herbert Briggs and one sister, Lorene Mouchka. Those remaining to cherish her memory include two sons, Terry Smith of Denver, CO and James Smith and wife, Mary of Denison, one granddaughter, Joleen Smith of Yankton, SD, nephew, David Briggs and wife, Rebecca of Thorton, Colorado, niece, Rita and husband, Dennis Norton of Fulton, New York, cousins, Bruce and Gene Smith of Oskaloosa, Iowa and Jerry Dalziel of What Cheer, Iowa, other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 26, 2008, at the United Presbyterian Church in Denison with the Rev. Brian K. Rihner officiating. Music for the service was provided by Eldon Hardekopf singing "How Great Thou Art" and "Amazing Grace". Marilynn Jepsen served as organist. Honorary Pallbearers were Joleen Smith and Dr. George and Shirley Berry. Pallbearers included Terry Smith, James Smith, Dan C. Pfannebecker, Larry Carstensen, Robert Curnyn and Roger Dozark. Interment was at Oakland Cemetery, Denison, Iowa. Following the graveside rites the family invited everyone to return to the church and join them for fellowship and a meal prepared and served by the United Presbyterian Women. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , in Denison, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements.