Mavis N. Smith

Mavis N. Smith, daughter of James Henry and Helen Paul Johnson of Albert City, Iowa was born August 6, 1927 at Storm Lake, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Albert City. Mavis received education at the Albert City Schools and Buena Vista College. She taught school at Fairview and Arnolds Park. On June 25, 1949, Mavis married Peter J. Smith and the newlyweds moved to Cushing where they purchased the Cushing Telephone Exchange and Mavis taught at the Cushing School. Mavis took a few years off of teaching while she had her children. Mavis then returned to teaching at the Battle Creek Community Schools and earned her B.A. from Morningside College. After 25 years at Battle Creek Community Schools, Mavis retired. She substituted at the River Valley School District until she was 80 and still had her teaching certificate.

Mavis was blessed with three children, David Peter, Kevin James and Sheila Kay, as well as a daughter-in-law, Lorene and son-in-law Bob.

Mavis has been an active member of St. John Lutheran Church in Cushing for 66 years. She was active in the community by being a member of the Cushing Centennial Committee, Writing Group, Book Discussion Group, and Auxiliary. Mavis was very proud of the Cushing Community Library, which she served on the board since its inception. She was an avid reader and loved to read to children.

Mavis and Pete loved traveling and ballroom dancing. Friendships made at those events lasted a lifetime. Mavis had a passion for teaching. Her eyes lit up when someone said Mrs. Smith because she knew they were a former student.

Mavis’s greatest joy was her children and grandchildren, Alex, Scott and Kristin. She was also blessed with two great grandchildren, Aidan & Jaxson. She so treasured spending time with her family – making David special foods, going on car rides with Kevin, shopping with Sheila and attending all of her grandchildren’s events. Recently she attended Kristin’s graduation and Jaxson’s baptism. Mavis also enjoyed her trips to Sioux City to be with her sisters, Rosie and Carolyn.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 62 years, Peter J Smith; a sister Neva (Myron) Elsasser; brother, Paul (Elaine) Johnson; brother-in-law Harold Richardson; and nephews, Daniel Richardson and Mark Elsasser.

Those who loved her and left to cherish her memory include her children, David (Lorene) Smith of Cherokee, Kevin Smith of Sioux City, and Sheila (Bob) O’Connell of Cushing; grandchildren, Alex (Robyn) Smith of Eagle, NE, Scott O’Connell of Cherokee and Kristin O’Connell of Emmetsburg; her great grandsons, Aidan & Jaxson Smith; two sisters, Rosie Richardson and Carolyn Johnson of Sioux City; special friends, Frank and Connie Hoppe of Marcus and other numerous relatives and friends.

To all who cared for Mavis during her illness, thank you.

Mavis was a devoted Christian and held dear the following Bible verse in Deuteronomy 33: The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Blessed be her memory.

On-line condolences can be made at nicklasdjensenfh.com