Marjorie J. Smith

RUSHFORD, MNMarjorie Jane (Taylor) Smith, age 89, of Rushford, died peacefully, musically, and readily on Wednesday, April 23, 2014, at Sauer Healthcare and Rehab in Winona.Marjorie was born July 20, 1924 at Winona General Hospital to Charles and Anna (Seeling) Taylor. She attended Clyde Country Grade School, St. Charles High School, Bemidji State, and later Winona State Teachers College. She later returned to Clyde to teach grades 1-8, Kasson Elementary, and 4th grade at Rushford. Marge loved teaching students the joys of reading and libraries, making new words to old songs, discovering bugs through a magnifying glass, eating right, and washing your hands. A July 4th date with Forrest C. Smith led to marriage after the war on August 11, 1946 until his death in 2009. They loved to travel to Texas, Alaska, and France, serve "libations" at 5pm, and entertain countless family and friends on "the porch." Gardening, gourmet cooking, music, church bake sales, and epic hand-written Christmas cards highlighted her hobbies, as well as hosting foreign exchange students, Hosar, Maité, and Piadad. In later years, she taught Head Start before becoming "Nana" to Michael, Meghan, Kate, and Kevin O'Donnell. Marge treasured her family, friends, church, and community.Loss of infant daughter, Martha Ann, in 1948 was carried close to their hearts, but the birth of daughter Jenni in 1953 became their joy. Teaching son-in-law, "Whitey" Oium to actually enjoy broccoli was among her culinary skills. Grandsons, Dan and Rick Iverson and Jeffrey Oium, enjoyed her cookies, exploring, golfing, and traveling with family. Marge's great-granddaughter, Kira Dee's 1st birthday celebration at Como Park was Marge's last big party.She will be missed by her daughter (Jenni) Whitey Oium), grandsons, Dan (Tamara) and Rick (Heather); great-granddaughter, Kira Dee Iverson; Julie O'Donnell family; nieces, nephews, and many dear friends. Marge was preceded in death by husband, Forrest; infant daughter, Martha Ann; grandson, Jeffrey; brother, George; sister, Betty; and infant siblings, Larry and Muriel, who died at birth.The family prefers memorials be directed to Trinity & First Church, 110 South Mill Street, Rushford, MN 55971; Worth Cemetery; or Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Rushford.A gathering of family and friends will be held from 4-8pm on Friday, April 25, 2014 at Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service in Rushford and also one hour prior to the service. Memorial service will be at 11am on Saturday at the funeral home, led by Pastor Kristin Rice. Burial will follow in Worth Cemetery.Please share a memory of Marge, sign her online guestbook, and view her tribute video when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/486128