Carol Smith

Carol Diane Smith, 53, of Thurston, NE, passed away June 1, 2013, surrounded by her loving family at her home in Thurston, NE. Funeral services will be Thursday, June 6, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Pender, NE, with Pastor Miles Ruch officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, June 5, 2013, from 3:00 until 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. all at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. Burial will be at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Cemetery in rural Pender, NE. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Smith Family Benefit. Arrangements by Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home in Pender, NE. Carol was born June 9, 1959, in Oberlin, KS, to Richard and Norma (Bates) Carpenter. She attended and graduated from Homer High School in Homer, NE. Carol married Jeffrey W. Smith on October 27, 1979, in Emerson, NE. Carol lived an active life and was involved in many organizations; she was the leader of Northeast Nebraska Road Runners, Thurston Community Foundation Co-Chair, race director of the Thurston Turkey Trot, member of Missouri River Runners, member of Professional Insurance Agents of Nebraska, Certified Professional Service Representative Designation, former Dragon Flames Dance Coach at Pender Public School, former President of Siouxland Mothers of Twins Club and she also served on the Hastings College Advisory Board. Carol had a passion for running and motivating others to get healthy. Most importantly, Carol was a loving and devoted wife and mother. Carol is survived by her husband Jeff of Thurston, NE; twin daughters Ashley Smith of Omaha, NE, and Amber Smith of Lincoln, NE; mother Norma Carpenter of South Sioux City, NE; cousin (a.k.a. sister) Robin Bates of Omaha, NE. Carol is preceded in death by her father Richard, grandparents Ernest and Mildred Bates and grandmother Ella Carpenter.