Gerene Smith

EAGLE GROVE — Gerene E. (Dougherty) Smith of Eagle Grove passed away Saturday, May 14, 2022, at Iowa Specialty Hospital in Clarion, Iowa. She was 97 years young.

Gerene was born on February 6, 1925, to Charles Earl and Gertrude (de Neui) Dougherty in Iowa Falls, Iowa. The family moved to Clarion, Iowa when Gerene was a young child. She attended Clarion schools and graduated in the Class of 1943. After graduation she worked for Cavanaugh Drug, the telephone company, and the First National Bank, all in Clarion. 

On September 2, 1948, she married Spencer B. Smith of Eagle Grove in Clarion, Iowa, and moved to the farm west of Eagle Grove. In 1962 they moved to town. He preceded her in death on January 11, 1968. She returned to banking at Security Savings Bank in Eagle Grove and retired in 1994 after 27 years of employment.

She was a 50-year member of Chapter EJ P.E.O., a 50- year member of the Eastern Star, a member of the United Church of Christ (long-time member of the choir) and participated in the VFW Auxiliary.

Known by many as “Ger” or “Grandma Ger,” she enjoyed bird watching, doing word jumbles, traveling, and watching basketball, especially the UNI Panthers.

She is survived by sons Bill (Janet) Smith of West Palm Beach, Florida, Stuart Smith of Aurora, Colorado, and daughter Bev (“Beverly” to her) ( Paul) of Eagle Grove, Iowa; grandchildren Stephanie Pates, Golden, Colorado, Adam (Jen) Wilde of Lone Tree, Colorado, Rachel (Ty) Gates of Meeker, Colorado, Emily Wilde of Denver, Colorado, Jena (Eran) Feller of Greenwood Village, Colorado, Carley Smith of Boynton Beach, Florida; great grandchildren Spencer and Nick Gates, Spencer, Nolan and Adalynn Wilde, Johnathan Feller, Jessica Pates and her children Trace and Dylan. Also surviving is sister-in law Mary Ellen Christensen of Eagle Grove, many nieces, and nephews and “other daughter” Mary K. 

Preceding her in death was her husband, her parents, her brothers- and sisters- in- law Loren (Ruth) Dougherty, Dale (Irene) Dougherty, Russell (Maxine) Dougherty, Ellwyn (Lynn) Smith, brother- in- law Wilford (Stub) Christensen, daughter-in-law Luann Smith, niece Lisa Hess, and nephew Tim Smith.

Visitation will be Thursday, May 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Foust Funeral Home in Eagle Grove. Funeral services will be Friday, May 27, 10:30 a.m. at Foust Funeral Home. Burial in Rose Hill Cemetery.

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