Elsie L. Smith

Elsie L. Smith, 84, of Buffalo Center, died Monday, February 18, 2019 at Timely Mission Nursing Home, Buffalo Center. A funeral service will be held at 11:30 AM on Friday, February 22, 2019 at First Congregational Church, Buffalo Center. Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:30 AM on Friday, February 22, 2019 at First Congregational Church, Buffalo Center. Elsie Loreen (Drake) Smith was born on September 14, 1934, on a farm just outside Buffalo Center, the daughter of Lester and Esther (Bond) Drake. She grew up in Buffalo Center, where she was a junior high cheerleader and a high school trumpet player in marching band, graduating from Buffalo Center High School in 1956. After that, she attended Iowa State University for one year, studying to be a home ec teacher. The following summer, the bank president asked her dad if Elsie would want to work at the Farmers Trust and Savings Bank. She agreed and worked there for the next 40+ years, until her retirement. On January 11, 1958, she was united in marriage to Billy M. Smith at the First Congregational Church in Buffalo Center. Billy built their house, and Elsie made it a home, tending garden and raising their four children....[more]

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ey lived their entire married lives in Buffalo Center, celebrating their 61st anniversary just one month ago. Elsie enjoyed spending time with her family, especially the time she was able to spend with the grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved others as well, sending many encouraging cards. Her love of gardening was shown as she actually took care of three gardens. Elsie was a reluctant fisherman, doing more reading in the boat than actual fishing. Elsie had a quiet, gentle spirit. She was very active in her church, where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, served many dinners, and volunteered where they needed her. Elsie loved her Savior and loved serving her church. At the end, Elsie resided at Timely Mission Nursing Home in Buffalo Center. She was 84 when she went home to her Lord and Savior on February 18, 2019. She is survived by her husband, Billy of Buffalo Center; children, Cindy Smith of Minneapolis, MN, Randy (Judy) Smith of Ankeny, Dan (Diana) Smith of Urbandale; grandchildren, Jonathan (Vanessa) Smith of Maxwell, Rachel (Colton) Willey of Ankeny, Joy Smith, Bekah Smith and Jen Smith, all of Ankeny; four great-grandchildren, Stephen, Riah, Ellia, Willy, with a fifth on the way; siblings Muriel (Roger) Anderson of Plymouth, MN, Leslie (Daphney) Drake of Bristow, VA; sister-in-law, Jean Drake of Algona; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Preceding her in death are her parents; daughter, Jean Smith; siblings, Charles Drake, Peggy Briscoe, Leona Breevaart, Howard Drake, and Ken Drake.