Edith M. Smith

Edith Margaret Smith, age 100, died Thursday, August 8, 2013, at the Grant Regional Health Center in Lancaster. She was born on September 8, 1912 to Henry Connor and Janettie (Heiliger) Heberlein in North Lancaster, Wisconsin. She attended Whitcomb School, a one-room school, for eight years and then Lancaster High School, graduating in 1931.

After graduation Edith worked in various homes, the last one before she was married was the Ramshaws. In 1937 Edith was united into marriage to Delos Buddy Pittenger Smith in the E&R Parsonage. They farmed in North Lancaster for 29 years. They had three daughters, Elaine Edith Jones, Loveland, Colorado, Margaret Ann Swan, Huber Heights, Ohio, and Mary Lee Smith, Crockett, Texas.

Edith used to play for the Sunday school and the Sunshine Choir and also taught Sunday school.

In 1966, after selling the farm, Edith and Delos moved to Baraboo where Edith worked in a nursing home for 20 years, being called in frequently. Edith also earned her certified nursing aid at St. Marys Nursing Home.

After Delos passed away in 1989, Edith retired from nursing home work and moved back to Lancaster in 1991 to a retirement apartment. She did volunteer work, played the piano for the nursing home for the weekly sing-a-longs.

Edith loved to travel, visiting the family in various states. Also loved to fly there, meet new friends, and enjoy her 9 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. Edith has one surviving brother, Wilbur Heberlein.

Edith was preceded in death by parents; her husband; son-in-law, James Swan; and three sisters, Leola Bailie, Erma Novinska, and Evelyn Fritz; three great grandchildren; her close friends, Wilma Walker and Patsy Rice. Edith also lost Ruth Gathright, her god-daughter.

Funeral services were held at 11 am on Monday, August 12, 2013 at the Bethlehem Evangelical & Reformed Church, Lancaster, with Rev. Mark Dieter officiating. Burial was in Liberty Ridge Cemetery, Liberty Ridge Township. Friends called from 9:30 am until the time of services Monday at the church. Schwartz Funeral Home, Lancaster, is assisting the family. In lieu of plants and flowers, an Edith M. Smith memorial fund has been established.