|
Leatha L. Smette • 1916 - 2009 Leatha Bell was born on January 3, 1916, a daughter of John and Nettie (Cargo) Bell on a farm east of Bantry, ND. She was raised east of Bantry along the Mouse River, where she worked with her parents milking and haying. She attended Poplar Grove grade school and graduated from Upham High School. On January 15, 1937, she was united in marriage to Oscar Smette. They made their home near Upham, where they continued to farm. After having four children, they moved to Deering, ND where Oscar became the manager of the Farmers Co-Op Elevator. Her last two children were born in Deering, where the family lived for many years. Leatha was a member of Deering Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday School and was a member of the Ladies Aid. She was also a 4-H leader. Leatha was incredible with her hands, sewing most of her children's clothes, gardening, crafting and baking. In her later years, she kept busy with her hands crocheting, making afghans, quilts and sewing for her many dolls. At age 89, she started decorating bird houses with small stones and selling them at the Cozy Cottage. She loved to fish and watch the Minnesota Twins. Leatha was a member of First Lutheran Church, and the ladies bible study group, Granville. She quilted with the church quilters for many years. In 2007, she delighted all her family with her hand written story of her "Little House on the Prairie" childhood. She experienced the last days of the Pony Express, her Dad notching out trees so she could find her way home in the woods and riding her horse wherever she went. Those who shared her life: Leatha was preceded in death by her husband Oscar, parents, infant brother, grandson Keith Smette, and son-in-law Raymond A. Miller. Visitation: Thursday, March 26, 2009 from 2-7 at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot and Thursday from 9 am until 11:30 am at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home. Funeral Service: Friday, March 27, 2009 at 2 pm at First Lutheran Church, Granville, ND Burial: Bloomfield Cemetery, Upham, ND in the spring of 2009 In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Bloomfield Cemetery Fund or the First Lutheran Church, Granville, ND Officiant: Rev. Mary Miska Music Honorary Bearers: Leatha’s family, friends and neighbors Active Bearers:
Jeff Smette, Greg Miller, Jerold Miller,
Jason Smette, John Smette,Jesse Grilley Immediately following the funeral service there will be lunch and fellowship in the lower level of the church. Please join the family for this time. Leatha’s family would like to thank everyone for the many acts of kindness shown to them during this difficult time. Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated and will never be forgotten. May God bless the memory of Leatha. To sign the online guest register
for Leatha |
Leatha
L. Smette, 93, Granville, ND formerly of Deering, ND, died Sunday,
March 22, 2009 in a Minot nursing home.