Marcella "Sally" Marie Smith
April 8, 1918 — October 18, 2017
Marcella “Sally” Smith, daughter of John and Lena (Erlbacher) Bissen, was born April 8, 1918 in Earling, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling, and attended school through the 12th grade at St. Joseph’s Catholic School. After graduation Sally worked in Greteman’s General Store, and she also did work for local families, helping with new babies, cooking meals, and even doing farm work.
On July 23, 1945, she was united in marriage to William Smith at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. They became parents to five children: JoAnn, Sally, Pat, Bill and Chuck. Sally became a full-time homemaker and loved taking care of her family on their farm. In 1970 they built their home in Earling.
Sally was very active in her community and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, where she remained a lifelong member and sang in the choir. She was a member of the Altar Society. She was also a member of Catholic Daughters of America Court St. Katherine No.266 Earling for 79 years, serving as a Grand Reagent and Recording Secretary Trustee. She volunteered as a 4H leader when her daughters were young and taught CCD for a few years. She also belonged to the Earling Quilters for many years.
Sally and Bill enjoyed traveling together to other states and countries. She enjoyed sewing, crafts, gardening, baking, and quilting. She made quilts for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Sally also liked to spend time playing cards and bingo. Most of all, she loved time spent with her family.
Sally died surrounded by her loving family at the Little Flower Haven in Earling, on Wednesday, October 18, 2017, attaining the age of ninety-nine years, six months and ten days. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Bill Smith; sister Carmelita Flickinger; brother Urban Bissen; grandsons David Smith and Steven Gross; and great granddaughter Lindsay Young.
Left to cherish her memory are her children JoAnn and husband Robert Koesters of Earling, Iowa; Sally Smith and friend Ron Jones of Tekamah, Nebraska; Pat and husband Tim Gross of Earling, Iowa; Bill Smith Jr. of Mason City, Iowa; Charles “Chuck” Smith and wife Marlene of Minnetonka, Minnesota; 19 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great grandchildren; brother Jerry Bissen of Earling, Iowa; nieces and nephews; other family member and many friends.
On July 23, 1945, she was united in marriage to William Smith at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. They became parents to five children: JoAnn, Sally, Pat, Bill and Chuck. Sally became a full-time homemaker and loved taking care of her family on their farm. In 1970 they built their home in Earling.
Sally was very active in her community and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, where she remained a lifelong member and sang in the choir. She was a member of the Altar Society. She was also a member of Catholic Daughters of America Court St. Katherine No.266 Earling for 79 years, serving as a Grand Reagent and Recording Secretary Trustee. She volunteered as a 4H leader when her daughters were young and taught CCD for a few years. She also belonged to the Earling Quilters for many years.
Sally and Bill enjoyed traveling together to other states and countries. She enjoyed sewing, crafts, gardening, baking, and quilting. She made quilts for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Sally also liked to spend time playing cards and bingo. Most of all, she loved time spent with her family.
Sally died surrounded by her loving family at the Little Flower Haven in Earling, on Wednesday, October 18, 2017, attaining the age of ninety-nine years, six months and ten days. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Bill Smith; sister Carmelita Flickinger; brother Urban Bissen; grandsons David Smith and Steven Gross; and great granddaughter Lindsay Young.
Left to cherish her memory are her children JoAnn and husband Robert Koesters of Earling, Iowa; Sally Smith and friend Ron Jones of Tekamah, Nebraska; Pat and husband Tim Gross of Earling, Iowa; Bill Smith Jr. of Mason City, Iowa; Charles “Chuck” Smith and wife Marlene of Minnetonka, Minnesota; 19 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great grandchildren; brother Jerry Bissen of Earling, Iowa; nieces and nephews; other family member and many friends.
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