"Like my parents mentioned in an earlier posting, Leo and Ila were amazing people and treated me and my brother like grandchildren. We were neighbors on Horseshoe lake. I remember one of the few times my parents left town and we stayed the night with Leo and Ila. We got off the bus at our house and walked across the frozen lake to spend a very warm evening with them. Climbing the set of stairs up the bank was a challenge in the dead of winter. I think this is the same visit where my brother over did the grape nuts not knowing how they swell. I can see both Leo and Ila chuckling at that one. My sincere sympathy to Ron and Karen and their families. Ila was one of a kind!!! "
In loving memory of
Ila F Smith
August 23, 1915 - September 28, 2009
Ila F. Smith age 94, of the Eastern Star Home in Boone died Monday September 28 in Boone.
Graveside committal services will be held at a later date at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Waterloo, Iowa.
Ila Frances was born August 23, 1915, Laurens, Iowa the daughter of Albert A. and Mary E. (Craig) Bunch. She graduated from Lester High School and then graduated from a business college in Des Moines. She married Leo Smith on May 17th, 1941 in Sioux Rapids, Iowa. The couple moved to Waterloo in 1948, where she was employed as a teacher's aid with the Waterloo Public Schools. Upon retirement the couple moved to Pine River, MN for 25 years. Ila moved to Ames and resided at Green Hills Retirement Community before moving to the Eastern Star Home in Boone.
Ila was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Waterloo, and the Pine River United Methodist Church in Pine River, MN. She enjoyed sewing, gardening and fishing.
Ila is survived by her son, Ronald C. (Jackie) Smith of Ames, daughter, Karen (Tom) Brindley of Alpena MI, grandchildren, Nathan (Amy) Smith of West Des Moines, Amy Jo (Bill) McGregor of Plano, TX, Sarah (Marty) Bauer of Des Moines, Kaye, Anna and Thomas Brindley all of Alpena, MI, and
two great granddaughters, Jocelyn and Evelyn Smith of West Des Moines.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Leo, son Royce, sisters, Elvira, Dorothy, and Vernal, and a brother Clifford.
On line condolences may be sent to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care is assisting the family.
Tributes
"Leo & Ila were great neighbors of ours on Horseshoe Lake in Minnesota. They lived directly across the lake from us and we could always see each others lights. There were only a few of us that lived on the lake in the winter so that is when we spent most of our time making memories with them...Thanksgiving dinners, deer hunting stories, feeding the birds that stayed...And we remember your beautiful, fun wedding Karen! They were always so good to our kids, Brooke & Troy. We really have missed their friendship. Our sincere sympathy to Ron & Jacki and family and to Tom & Karen and family."
"We were neighbors of Leo and Ila on Horseshoe Lake for many years. They were great friends. We shared so much during those years. They were like Grandparents to our kids. We have so many memories - snowmobiling together and Ila's cookouts in the woods. Ila's great cooking and always having cookies for the kids. Just can't say enough about our years together. We miss them terribly and wish we could redo those years. "
"We were neighbors to Leo and Ila in the Cedar Bend area of Waterloo in the mid 50's and early 60"s. She baby sat our sons David and Bill. I gave Karen a few piano lessons. We were friends and neighbors then and later when we had a cabin near Pine River we also saw them occsionaly. The last time we saw her was in Pine River. She was a great lady and she will be missed. We send our sincere condolences. Bob and Mary Jane Shafer "
"Tom, Karen, Kaye, Anna, Thomas, I never knew Karen's mom, but I've known Tom since we were toddlers (literally), and I first met Karen in 1969. We all go back a longer time than most of us probably like to think about, and the death of a parent of such long-time friends can't help but be a milestone. My condolences to Karen's and Tom's families. Roger McKeown "
"Tom, Karen, Kaye, Anna, Thomas: I can't find the condolence tag at the funeral home so I'll write directly for both of us. We know how important grandmothers, mothers, and mothers-in-law are; losing them under any circumstance can be difficult. Vivian and I had few chances to get to know Ila but we do know the quality of daughter that she raised and the successes and personalities of the family her daughter built. Vivian has had long term involvement in nursing homes and rehabilitation centers and knows of the trials engaged there. For my part, I loved my mother-in-law dearly; she was a remarkable person. Ever since Tom and LaVerna died, I have felt close to them. I pray that these comforts of memory help to replace Ila's physical presence among you. There's no problem in remembering the good and fun times. I believe Karen's parents knew, as Tom and I know our parents knew, that our families have taken the rough and the refined times, have properly sifted them, and stepped off in sometimes new directions. Our parents helped to give us the tools and instincts to deal with life. Vivian and I both thank you for your love and support of Ila. Bill Brindley "
"I have known Ila since 1971 when i worked with her at the Administration Bldg. We have kept in contact thruout the years sharing pictures of my kids and grandkids - She was the sweetest person and I will miss her. My condolenses to her kids and grandkids."