Martha M. Smith

Martha Mathilda (Koch) Smith, 92, of Allen, Nebraska passed away Saturday, March 8, 2014 at the Hillcrest Care Center in Laurel, NE. Funeral services will be Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in rural Concord, NE; with Pastor William Bertrand officiating. Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 11, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and a Prayer service starting at 7:00 p.m. at Bressler - Munderloh - Smith Funeral Home in Wakefield, NE. Burial will be in St. Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery in rural Concord, NE. Memorials may be directed to the family. Arrangements are under the direction of Bressler - Munderloh - Smith Funeral Home in Wakefield, NE. Martha was born July 23, 1921 in Dixon, NE to John and Christina (Schmidt) Koch. She was baptized on September 15, 1921 and confirmed on July 7, 1935 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in rural Concord, NE. She attended Rural Concord Country School. Martha married Desmond Smith June 28, 1944 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church; to this union, 14 children were born. They lived in rural Laurel until moving to the farm northwest of Allen in 1947. Desmond passed away in 1978 and Martha remained on the farm until moving to Hillcrest Care Center in Laurel, NE in 2007. Martha was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. She was involved in Ladies Aid/LWML where she enjoyed making quilts and mission projects. Martha is survived by her sons; Desmond Smith, Jr. of Scribner, NE, Terry (Gayle) Smith of San Luis Obispo, CA, Dean (Marlene) Smith of Allen, NE, Alan (Mickey) Smith of Sioux City, IA, Bob Smith of Beatrice, NE, Doug (Susan) Smith of Martinsburg, NE, Lin (Mary Lou) Smith of Ponca, NE, Randy (Tonia) Smith of Delta Junction, AK, Dennis (Theresa) Smith of Yankton, SD, daughters; Chris (Bill) Micek of Columbus, NE, June (Bob) Grosvenor of Newcastle, NE, Marsha Smith of Ainsworth, NE, Shellee (Jeff) Heinemeyer of Yankton, SD, sister; Adele Koch of Redwood City, CA, brother; Helmut Koch of South Sioux City, NE, 35 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. Martha is preceded in death by her husband; Desmond, parents, son; Richard, granddaughters; LaVonne Smith, Nicole (Micek) Bahn, Cheryl Smith, great granddaughter; Kyndal Kubik, sisters; her twin Maria Reick, Hulda (Koch), Agatha (Koch), Laura Thomas, Hildegard Thomas, Edna George, brothers; Arnold Koch, Martin Koch, George Koch, and an infant sibling.