Eleanor Maxine Smith

Funeral Service will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at the United Methodist Church in Mallard. Burial is in Evergreen Cemetery, Emmetsburg. The family will greet friends from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday at the Joyce Funeral Home. Eleanor Maxine Johnston was born January 22, 1926, to Clyde and Georgianna (Speelman) Johnston near Ellston, IA. She was baptized at the United Presbyterian Church in Tingley, IA. She graduated as valedictorian from Ellston High School in 1943, and then continued her education at the Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, IA (now the University of Northern Iowa.) Upon graduation from the teachers college, she taught at country and community schools throughout southern and northern Iowa until her marriage. She was united in marriage to S. Evan Smith on August 11, 1951, at her parents' home near Ellston, IA. They resided on Evan's farm near Curlew, IA. To this union, 4 children were born: Linda Maxine, Glen Evan, Vernon Clyde, and Gwen Ellen. Eleanor was a member of the Curlew United Methodist women, the Federated Women's Club, and the Church Woman United, where she held various offices. She was also a 4-H leader for the Curlew J...[more]

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y Workers and a substitute school teacher. Eleanor and Evan enjoyed entertaining for card parties, spending winters near Branson, MO, and hosting coffee time for their family. Eleanor enjoyed doing handiwork and crafts, whether that was quilting, crocheting, or showing her grandkids how to make ice cream. She always had a creative project for her grandkids. Eleanor always enjoyed teaching and helping others learn. On Friday, February 3, 2017, Eleanor passed away at Emmetsburg Care Center at the age of 91. Left to cherish her memory are her children: Linda Biermann (Bruce) of Byron, IL; Glen Smith (Diane) of Emmetsburg, IA; Vernon Smith (Rose) of Curlew, IA; and Gwen Ellen Hanson (John) of Kirkman, IA; her grandchildren: Stacy Biermann (Ryan Perry) of Chicago, IL, and Sarah Biermann of Clive, IA; Rachel Barbar (Chafik) of Omaha, NE, and Scott Smith (Sarah) of Curlew, IA; Laura Klaes (Joseph) Osage, IA; Megan Hanson (Christopher Broman) of Halbur, IA, and Allison Hanson of West Des Moines, IA; and her great-grandchildren: Nora Barbar, Daniel Smith, and Peyton and Adalynn Klaes and her sisters-in-law: Esther Smith and Jeanette Smith, and brother-in-law: F. Nile Smith (Harriet). Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband Evan (2001), parents Clyde (1979) and Georgianna (1992), sister Eva Marie (Judy) Johnston (2005), and grandson Galen Smith (2008).