Ethel J. Smith

Ethel Smith, 94, of Mayville, ND, formerly of Page, ND, died Friday, May 6, 2016, at Luther Memorial Home in Mayville where she had been a resident since November 2012. Ethel June Johnson was born Dec. 10, 1921, on the Johnson family farm home in Broadlawn Township, Steele County, North Dakota. She was the daughter of Peter and Caspara Olson Johnson, was baptized in 1922 and confirmed in 1936 in the Norman Evangelical Lutheran Church in Clifford. She graduated from Clifford High School in 1939 and soon after joined sisters in California where she worked in the “defense plants”, assembling equipment for World War II. She returned to attend Mayville State Teachers College in Mayville, ND, earning a teaching certificate. She taught in rural schools in Traill and Cass counties from 1943 to 1951. She married Sidney “Herb” Smith March 25, 1944, in the Steele County Courthouse in Finley, ND. Herb passed away on August 24, 1977, and is buried in Memory Gardens Cemetery, rural Valley City, ND. In high school she was a member of the girls basketball and kittenball (softball) teams and participated in vocal music groups. She enjoyed bowling in later years and earned award trips with her teammates for tournaments. She was an avid Minnesota Twins Baseball fan, listening to and watching the games whenever possible. She liked to travel and visited Norway, Panama and other countries in addition to much of the United States. For many years she hosted the family Thanksgiving dinner with 25 or more in attendance. She attended many family events, often traveling across the country for baptisms, confirmations, graduations, weddings, and other important occasions. She was godmother and honorary grandmother to many children. The coffee pot was always on at her house and she welcomed anyone who would stop for a cup and take time to visit. Ethel was actively involved in the Smith family farm, near Page, ND. She continued farming after her husband died until she retired in the 1980’s. She was a farmer at heart and liked being in the fields, especially during the harvest season. When she retired, she turned to vegetable and flower gardening. She moved into Page in 2006. She was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church and WELCA in Page, the Fun and Friendship Senior Citizens, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles for over 27 years. She is survived by a sister Kathleen (Carmen) Lo Presti of Mission Viejo, Calif., sister-in-law Donna Knodle Johnson, brother-in-law Jake Whetsel of Newark, New Jersey, 20 nieces and nephews, many great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Herb; brothers John and wife (Amy Jean Johnson) and Joseph; sisters Mae and husband Burton Ryan, Olga and husband Charles Splettstaszer, Inga and husband R.W. Woell, sister Lillian Whetsel; and nephews John Splettstaszer and Roger Johnson. Visitation: 5-7 PM on Friday, May 13, 2016 with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Page, ND and will resume one hour prior to the funeral service. Funeral Service: 10:30 AM Saturday, May 14, 2016 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Page, ND. Burial: Will be at the Memory Gardens Cemetery, Valley City, ND.