Elizabeth Smith

Made for Elizabeth by her family

Elizabeth Smith, 80, of Highmore, passed away Saturday, April 27, 2019 at the Highmore Health in Highmore.

Funeral Mass was held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 4, 2019 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Highmore with Father Paul Josten, celebrant. Burial followed at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Highmore. Visitation began at 6:00 p.m., Friday, May 3, 2019 followed by a 7:00 p.m. rosary and prayer service, all at the church.

Elizabeth Ann Smith was born on February 11, 1939, in Omaha, Nebraska to Leo and Clara (McGee) Roche. After the passing of her mother when she was young, Elizabeth lived in Athens, Texas with Estelle and Edward Roche, traveling during the summers with their sideshow, “Congoland.” The family relocated to Blunt, SD and she attended St. Liborius Catholic School in Polo, SD from third through twelfth grade, graduating in 1956. She then spent one year pursuing a secretarial course at Mount Marty College in Yankton, SD and worked in Pierre, SD.

Elizabeth was married to LaVerne Francis Smith in 1957. They began their life together farming and ranching on the Smith family farm south of Highmore, South Dakota. Elizabeth and LaVerne were blessed with a large family and lovingly raised seven daughters and two sons. They spent many happy years together and surely had many joys and adventures raising nine children on the farm.

Elizabeth was known by many as she loved meeting and making new friends with everyone she saw. She never forgot a name and it was easy for her to “connect-the-dots” between family relations throughout several counties. Elizabeth was very devoted to her Catholic Faith and was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She had a loving nature and could always make you laugh with her funny Irish sayings and the mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

Among other things, Elizabeth will be remembered for singing songs and preparing meals for her large family of children, their spouses and her grandchildren. Elizabeth’s true calling was caring for others. After her children were raised, she continued caring for others by dedicating herself to her work in the home health industry. She was a mother to everyone, loved children and animals and had fond memories of spending time at the beautiful orchards in Athens, TX when she was a child.

She battled cancer and other ailments later in life, but her strong-willed nature kept her going, smiling through it all. She was grateful for the tender loving care that she was given by family and friends who often visited. It was important to her to “be polite” until the very end, not wanting to leave while she had visitors. She will be remembered fondly and missed by all who knew her. May she rest now eternally in the arms of Jesus until we all meet again.

She is survived by her sisters-in-law: Carolyn Roche, JoAnn Johnson and Delores Smith; her children and their spouses: Sandy (Tony) Holzemer, Terry (DeAnne) Smith, Kathy (Doyle) Heying, Deb (Jerry) Webb, Les Smith, Jodi Huwe, Pam (Curt) Merriman and Erin Smith; grandchildren and their spouses: Jason Smith, Thomas (Jackie) Smith, Bryan Smith, John (Jenny) Smith, Colene (Anthony) Evinger, Amber (Josh) Tjeerdsma, Josh Heying, Jeremy (Amy) Webb, Ryan (Jami) Webb, Rosalee Renken, Christine Moes, Alex Smith, Kennedy Smith, Jackson Smith, Jasmine Edin, Caty (Justin) Thurn, Callista Smith, Nicole Adams and Justin Merriman; great-grandchildren: Agnes Smith, Anthony Smith, Teresa Smith, Margaret Smith, LeAnne Smith, Sebastian Tjeerdsma, Isabella Tjeerdsma, Jameson Heying, Jonah Webb, Maya Webb, Carter Webb, Kaylie Peldo, Morgan Renken, Wade Edin, Brad Edin, Kinsey Webb, Ezio Moes and Annabelle Thurn.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Clara Roche, her siblings: Leo Jr., Mary, Donald, Clara and Thomas; her husband, LaVerne Smith, and her daughter, Diane Smith.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Elizabeth's arrangements.