Vera Lucille Smith

Vera Lucille Smith was born in Allen, Nebraska, August 7, 1918, the daughter of Felix and Nina Weston Patefield. She was raised on the farm in rural Laurel, Nebraska, receiving her education in the rural schools. Following her education she was employed in domestic work for area residents. On August 1, 1940, Vera was united in marriage with Merlin Smith at Fruitland, Idaho. Their union was blessed with eight children, Eugene, Judy, Duane, Marilyn, Larry, Jim, Roger and Ron. They made their home on the farm at Laurel, Nebraska where Vera was a busy homemaker and farmwife. In 1959 the family moved to Audubon, Iowa, where Vera was employed as a nurse?s aid at the Audubon County Home and for fifteen years at Friendship Home. In 1982 the Smith?s retired and moved to Denison, Iowa. Merlin died September 14, 1993, and Vera continued to reside in her home caring for her sons, Duane and James. In her spare time, Vera enjoyed embroidery, fishing and camping. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Denison and the United Methodist Women. While residing in Audubon she served as president of Audubon Handicapped Association. Vera died early Monday, March 30, 2009, at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa. At the time of her death she had been blessed with 90 years, 7 months and 23 days. Including her parents and her husband, Vera was also preceded in death by one son, Roger Smith, one grandson, Nicholas Dale Smith, two brothers, Warren Patefield and his wife, Ruby, and Oscar Patefield, one sister, Florene and her husband, Gerald Jewel, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ralph and Margaret Smith, son-in-law, Garry Hocamp, and brother-in-law, Delmar Smith. Those remaining to cherish her memory include seven children, Eugene Smith and wife, Linda of Atlantic, Iowa, Judy and husband, Leon Thompson of Audubon, Iowa, Duane Smith of Denison, Iowa, Marilyn Hocamp of Exira, Iowa, Larry Smith and wife, Zelda of Carroll, Iowa, Jim Smith of Denison, Iowa, and Ron Smith and wife, Debbie of Denison, Iowa, daughter-in-law, Mary Smith of Emmetsburg, Iowa, 13 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, one brother, Milo Patefield and wife, Arlene of Laurel, Nebraska, brother-in-law, Dean Smith and wife, Nellie of Portland, Oregon, sisters-in-law, Sally Smith of Tanasket, Washington, other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, April 2, 2009, at the First United Methodist Church in Denison, Iowa, with the Rev. Alberta Ervin officiating. Music for the service included two congregational hymns, "In The Garden" and "How Great Thou Art" with Nancy Miles serving as organist. Honorary pallbearers included Sandra Hocamp, Sharry Schirer, Jennifer Palmer, Stephanie Smith, Molly Smith, Wendy Dentlinger, Christie Hocamp and Melinda Smith. Pallbearers were Jerry Thompson, Brian Smith, Brent Smith, Paul Hocamp, Steven Hocamp, Gregory Smith and Andy Smith. Immediately following the service all were invited to join the family in the fellowship hall for a luncheon prepared and served by the United Methodist Women. Following the luncheon Vera was interred at Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon, Iowa. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home in Denison, Iowa, www.pfannebecker.com , was in charge of arrangements.