Alice M. Smith

Alice M. Smith, 92, longtime resident of Jackson, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, June 19, 2012, in Tempe, Ariz. Services will be 10 a.m. Monday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Jackson, with the Rev. Paul Albenesius officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery, Jackson. Visitation will begin 3 p.m. today, with a 4 p.m. rosary recited by Catholic Daughters of the Americas, and a wake service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel in Sioux City. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com. Alice was born Aug. 17, 1919, in Newcastle, Neb., the daughter of Antone and Mary Jane (Mamie) Koch. She attended the country church at Tara Hills growing up and moved to Jackson, Neb., as a child. She attended Briar Cliff College in Sioux City. In 2009, she moved to Oceanside, Calif., to live with her daughter there. She recently moved to the care center in Tempe, Ariz. She married Frank M. Smith on Sept. 10, 1941, in Jackson, Neb. He died April 17, 1987, in Jackson. Alice was a teacher in a one-room country school. Most of her life was spent on the farm and as a caring mother for her seven children. She was a longtime member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Jackson, the Altar Society, Catholic Daughters of the Americas and the church choir. She had served as treasurer of St. John Cemetery and was sacristan for St. Patrick's Church for 50 years. She was also an auxiliary member of the American Legion, co-member with Frank Smith of Northeast Nebraska Telephone, and served on the Heelan High Catholic School Board. Alice authored a history of Jackson. She baked and decorated cakes for special occasions, and loved plants and gardening. Survivors include her children, Sr. Anne Marie Smith, OSF of Tempe, Ariz., Frances Smith of Oceanside, Calif., Janette Smith of San Francisco, Calif., Carol (Bill) Moses of Chandler, Ariz., Faye (Larry) Draper of Raleigh, N.C., Matt (Sue) Smith of Omaha, Neb., and Bob Smith of Lincoln, Neb.; her sister, Teresa Lux of Tempe; 14 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 45 years, Frank Smith; her sisters, Helen, Mildred and Mary Gertrude; and her brothers, John Mathias and Paul Anthony. Pallbearers will be Michael Moses, Todd Bricker, Daniel Smith, Tony Jones, Mike Hanlon and Joseph Smith. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. John's Cemetery Association for ongoing care and preservation of the cemetery.