Colleen Florence Smith

Colleen Smith of Yreka, California passed away on May 8, 2025 at the age of 88. Colleen was born Aug 29, 1936 to parents Matthew and Viola (Siebert) Kernan in Portland, Oregon. She grew up and attended school in Vallejo, Ca. Colleen was married to Olaf Hofseth and they had 4 children, Kirsten, Tim, Scott and Eric. Years later she married Fred Smith, the love of her life. They moved to Yreka when they both retired. Colleen worked at Bank of America for several years. Then she was one of the first women to attend IBM school where she excelled. Later she went to work at Mare Island Naval Shipyard and was the first female painter. She painted nuclear submarines. She retired from Mare Island and she and her husband moved to Yreka. She had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge about her Native American heritage and spent many hours of research on them. She amassed an admirable library and collection on the subject. Colleen was predeceased by her parents Matthew and Viola Kernan, brother Jim Kernan, sisters Patricia Sousa, Claudette Schady, children Tim Hofseth, Scott Hofseth and Eric Hofseth. She is survived by daughter Kirsten Hofseth, grandchildren Leon Peel, Tysen Peel, Lawrence Peel, Edean Cutright, Erica Villasenor. Great Grandchildren Lucian, Archer, Rhowen, Nicodemus, Grace, Everlynn and daughter in laws Sherrie Hofseth and Anita Peerson. She will be remembered by them for all the camping trips, sudden stops for any yard sales, and her love for all of them. Colleen requested no services after her death. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Colleen's honor to an animal rescue or shelter.