Elizabeth "Liz" Smith

1940 - 2025

Elizabeth "Liz" Smith

March 1, 1940 - September 5, 2025

Elizabeth Ann (Liz) Smith was at home and in the arms of her loving husband when she passed away peacefully from natural causes on the evening of September 5, 2025.

Liz was born in Bend, Oregon, on March 1, 1940, to Nathaniel and Henrietta Hanson. She was the youngest of three children and her elementary school years were spent attending Indian Boarding Schools on various Native American Reservations in Oregon, Montana, and Nebraska. Her father was a Federal Agent for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Liz loved sharing memories of her childhood summers spent using horses to pack supplies into Montana's back country sites complete with camping and fishing adventures and how exciting Native American Pow Wow Ceremonies were.

Liz graduated from Nevada's Carson City High School in 1958, and proudly followed the footsteps of her mother and sister when she obtained her RN diploma in 1961 from the Columbus School of Nursing in Great Falls. After graduating from Nursing School, Liz moved out west to Tacoma, Washington to live with her sister and started working at Pierce County Medical Center. There she met and fell in love with the most handsome, kindest, hard-working orderly named Bill Smith.

Bill and Liz were married on September 30, 1964, and remained in Tacoma until 1969 when they were able to return to Montana – first landing in Avon before re-locating to Deer Lodge in 1978.

In 1983, this was the year that Liz officially became known as "Nana." She had an absolute love and passion for life and was so appreciative of being a stay-at-home nana and mom. Her faith in Christ could move mountains but she also had no problem going over his head if she needed to. We all agree that Nana's true passion was everything children, (having 6 of her own as well as taking in and caring for families of foster children, neighborhood children, foreign exchange children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren). She also loved cow dogs, lap dogs, sled dogs, ponies, and horses as well as hunting and fishing and long mountain drives and she especially loved Sunday night family rosary nights and her beloved cabin.

Hospice Nursing always remained near and dear to Nana's heart. She was instrumental in helping to establish Powell County Hospice and through the years, she continued to keep her Montana RN License active as she wanted to be ready just in case she should receive a call to serve. She was also proud and humble that she was able to be of service for three elected terms as Powell County's State Representative.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Nathaniel and Henrietta Hanson; her sister, Mary Ellen Hanson; and her daughter, Mary Smith.

Nana is survived by her loving husband, Papa Bill; her children, Tanya Wilkerson (Erik), Sabrina Brown (Scott), Troy Smith (Mary), Brock Smith (Denise), Celeste Davis (Todd), Holly Zeilie, Debbie Cooper; 17 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren; one great-grandbaby Bean on the way; and by her brother John Hanson and his wife Judy.

Viewing will be held 6 to 8 p.m, on September 12, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Church, 601 Clark Street, Deer Lodge, Montana 59722.

Funeral service will be held 11 a.m, on September 13, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Church, 601 Clark Street, Deer Lodge, Montana 59722.

Luncheon to Follow at St Mary's Center back at Immaculate Conception Church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to PAWHS.

Please visit axelsonfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence or share a memory of Liz.

Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services

2009 Harrison Ave.

Butte, MT 59701

4064944264