Marilyn L. Smith

Marilyn Smith, of Red Cloud, Nebraska died Saturday, September 27, 2008 at the Webster County Community Hospital in Red Cloud.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., September 30, 2008 at the First United Methodist Church in Red Cloud with the Rev. Richard Fairbanks officiating. Marcy Thompson was the vocalist, with Barbara Sprague, organist. The caksetbearers were Rod Ely, Ed Shute, Richard Hansen, Lloyd Wulf, Bill Staley and Charles Reiher. Interment was in the Red Cloud Cemetery.

Memorials were directed to the First United Methodist Church or the Webster County Community Hospital.

Marilyn Louise Smith, the daughter of Rhoda Josephine (Chase) and Carl Elmer Johnson, was born March 21, 1933 at Beatrice, Nebraska. She departed this life on Saturday, September 27, 2008 at the Webster County Community Hospital in Red Cloud at the age of 75 years, 6 months and 6 days.

Marilyn graduated from high school with the class of 1951 at Norfolk, Nebraska. She continued her formal education at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in 1955 and was a member of the Tri-Delta Sorority. Following her graduation, she was hired as an elementary teacher with the Lincoln public school system. She then moved to Red Cloud where she continued to teach for a period of time. On March 31, 1956 she was united in marriage with Roger Monroe Smith at Lincoln, Nebraska. They continued to their home in Red Cloud where he husband, Roger, operated the Ely Grain Corporation until his retirement in 1993.

Marilyn was active in a number of community and civic organizations including the First United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women; Chapter "Y" P.E.O., Charity Chapter #47 Order of Eastern Star and the Daughters of the Nile. In her leisure time she enjoyed playing bridge, reading, and coffee time with her friends and family. Her personality was pervaded by her kind spirit and a sincere smile. Marilyn was always interested in others, and throughout her struggles with diabetes spanning almost fifty years, her concerns were always focused on those around her instead of herself.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Roger, on February 9, 2005; and a sister-in-law, Wilma Johnson.

Left to treasure her memory are her brother Chase Johnson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; a nephew, Vic Johnson; other relatives and her many friends.

Williams Funeral Home
241 West 4th Avenue
Red Cloud, Nebraska 68970

402-746-2500