Louise Evelyn Smith, 89, of Winona, passed away on July 17, 2018, at the Hospice House in Hutchinson.
Louise Evelyn (Stoecker) Smith was born on October 20, 1928, the fourth child of Gottlieb B. and Anna Elizabeth (Uhrich) Stoecker, of rural Oakley. During her childhood and school years, Louise, her parents and siblings lived on a farm southeast of Monument, popularly known as Stoeckerville. She graduated from Monument High School in 1945. While attending, and after high school, Louise worked at Stetz’s in Oakley.
On November 12, 1947, Louise married Kenneth J. Smith in Oakley. Kenneth and Louise lived in Winona from November, 1947 to April, 2013. Devoting years to wheat farming, they referred to themselves as “city farmers”.
Louise dearly loved sewing and kept Bernard in fashion from pre-school through high school. She even tailored suits; he wore during his early years in college. Louise also enjoyed knitting, crocheting, cooking and baking. When Triplains High School had a bake sale, her cinnamon rolls and pastries were sold before making it to the oven. Louise had the ability to transform a well-used upholstered chair, destined for the landfill, to a beautiful piece of furniture anyone would be proud to display in his or her home. This became a business for which her skills and creativity were in high demand.
Louise was as skillful driving an over-heated farm truck, loaded with wheat through an elevator, as she was threading a sewing machine needle. Since farming was not always fruitful, Louise supplemented the family income by working at: The Winona Leader, Winona Liquor store, Hess’ Dress Shop, selling AVON and Amway products, driving school buses, and operating an upholstery business from the basement of their home.
Louise never hesitated to assist neighbors in need, typically refusing compensation. The community of Winona was welcome in her home, and many of the town’s children saw her as a trusted second Mom. She enjoyed a good visit with friends and strangers alike, causing Kenneth to seek out the waiting benches at Wal-Mart in the event she encountered someone with common interests.
Louise was Bernard’s first teacher, using phonics for reading during a time when the school was experimenting with less viable sight-reading methodology. She modeled compassion, honesty, friendship, morality and a committed work ethic.
In July 2005, Louise and Kenneth retired from farming. Less time preparing lunches for Kenneth to take to the field, and laundering work clothes, gave Louise additional time to quilt, walk, talk and enjoy the company of her friends at the Winona Community Building. Louise and Kenneth continued to live in Winona until May 2013 when Kenneth’s health necessitated a move to Hutchinson, Kansas.
Louise was a parishioner of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, in Oakley, for 65 years. Louise and Kenneth were faithful members, the first 65 years of marriage, and celebrated their 67th anniversary on November 12, 2014.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Gottlieb and Anna, brothers: Leo, Herman, and Lawrence Stoecker, her husband, Kenneth, son, Joseph, and daughter, Mary.
Louise is survived by her son, Bernard and his wife, Mary, of Hutchinson; granddaughter, Lindsay Kubina and her husband, Tony, of Manhattan; grandson, Aaron Smith of Hutchinson; great grandson, Gage Smith; great granddaughters, Brinley Smith and Claire Kubina; her sister, Luella Baalman of Gardner, and many nieces and nephews.
On the evening of July 17, 2018 Louise was reunited with Kenneth, Joseph, Mary, and other family and friends awaiting her in God’s kingdom.
The family extends a heartfelt welcome to this celebration of Louise’s life, and is deeply grateful for your prayers and presence at her Mass.
Funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 23, 2018 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Oakley, with Fr. Donald Pfannenstiel officiating. Visitation: 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday at Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, Oakley, with vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorials: St. Joseph’s School in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 221, Oakley, KS 67748.
Online Guestbook: www.kennedykosterfh.com
