Hattie Smith

Hattie Elizabeth Smith passed away Sunday morning at the Lakewood Care Center in Staples. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM, Friday, March 13, 2009, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Staples. The wake will be Thursday evening from 5-7 at the Brenny Funeral Home in Staples with Rosary at 6:30 and Parish Prayers at 6:45. Interment will be in St. Fredericks Catholic Cemetery in Verndale. Hattie Elizabeth Smith was born on September 25, 1922, in Allamakee County, Iowa, the daughter of Vincent and Elizabeth (Lensing) Nanik. On November 19, 1942, she was united in marriage to Thomas J. Smith in Verndale, MN. The couple was able to share 54 years together before Tom died in 1997. They farmed near Staples where they raised 8 children. It was said that Hattie would rather help with the farm work than garden. She enjoyed quilting and all the children and grandchildren have a product of her labor and love. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Circle and also the National Catholic Foresters. She was preceded in death by her parents, Vincent and Elizabeth; her husband, Thomas on March 14, 1997; 2 brothers; 2 sisters; and a grand daughter. Hattie will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her children, David Smith of Lake City, MN, Katherine Anderson of Billings, MT, Allen Smith of Duluth, MN, Eileen Schirer of Vadnais Heights, MN, Robert Smith of Bemidji, MN, Richard Smith of Helena, MT, Patricia Wagner of Cheyenne, WY, and Neil Smith of Prior Lake, MN; 16 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and sister, Ann Flathers of Havre, MT. Memorials are preferred to the Sacred Heart Catholic School.