Marian T. "Mickey" Smith

Marian "Mickey" Smith, of Emily went to rest among the angels September 9, 2025, at the age of eighty-eight. She was born on March 24, 1937, in Minneapolis to Phyllis (Anderson) and Andrew Tschudy. She married Frank L. Smith on August 31, 1957. They recently celebrated 68 years of marriage.
Mickey is survived by her husband Frank and two children, daughter Lisa (Chris) Kotval of Crosslake, MN and Clearwater Beach, FL; and son Ned L. Smith of Emily, MN; brother Gary (Dori) Tschudy.
Preceding Marian in death are her parents, and her sister Carol Tschudy.
She was a lifelong learner, her education included being a 1955 graduate of Renville High School; BS English Literature, University of Minnesota; BA Education, University of Minnesota; MA Humanities, Hamline University; Semester Study at Birmingham University, UK (multiple years); and Oxford, England (Exeter College), UK.
Mickey was a woman of strong faith and actively involved in the following churches:
First Lutheran Church of Renville, MN; St. Phillips Lutheran Church, Fridley, MN where she taught Confirmation and Sunday school, Girls Choir Director, composed, produced, sewed costumes, created set designs, directed pageants, and served as Summer School Principal, involved in many church activities, bible studies, and committees; Chapel By the Sea, Clearwater Beach, FL, singing Alto in the choir, participating in bible studies, section lead for charitable event's, member of Chapel Chick's group, involved in multiple church committees and; Emily United Methodist Church, Emily, MN, serving as pianist for Sunday worship services and a member of mission and outreach committees, bible study and actively participated in all church events. Mickey and a group of faithful members kept the doors of the church open on Sunday, putting together their own service during the Covid-19 Pandemic. She chose a new song each Sunday to research and report on to the group. She would play it on the piano and the group would sing it.
Mickey had an accomplished work life that included: Totino Grace Catholic High School, Fridley, MN, teaching American Literature, Greek Mythology, and English, she directed, made costumes, and played the piano for high school plays, she coached cheerleading, and she developed and planned international trips to Greece for her Greek Mythology students; Columbia Heights Middle School, MN, teaching English; Developed curriculum and taught alternative education programs, composed, produced made all costumes and created set design, and directed plays; Fridley Middle School, MN, teaching alternative education; Fridley Community Education, Fridley, Mickey taught various courses such as stained-glass art, piano, and sewing; Minnesota State High School Gymnastics Judge where she judged girl's gymnastics meets at schools throughout the Twin-Cities Metro and the Minnesota State Championships; Piano teacher, giving private lessons for 15+ years from her home piano studio.
Mickey was a creative person with many passions that included:
Quilting - AQS Certified International Quilt Appraiser, made with love quilts for family and friends, Military Veterans (Quilts for Valor, Eagles Healing Nest), Moffit Cancer Center, and other charities; Taught quilt-based clothing courses; Taught quilt making classes, gave lectures, and appraised quilts at international quilt shows (Paducah, Ky and Houston, TX).
Sewing - Accomplished Seamstress. She enjoyed all types of sewing from clothing to crafts.
Bridge - Avid bridge player in both MN and FL. She belonged to several bridge groups.
Travel - Traveled both domestically and internationally and she looked forward to the annual family holiday cruises throughout the Caribbean.
Family - She was an amazing wife and mother. She made everyone feel loved and valued.
Mickey had many interests - she loved to read, listen to podcasts and watch YouTube videos, play cribbage, enjoyed pontoon rides on Lake Mary, Chesapeake dogs, birds, a good cup of coffee, Bingo at 51, lunch at Wildflower Café, watch movies and eat popcorn with the family, shopping, fashion and clothing, crafting, baking (and cookbooks), watching the football draft and her Minnesota Vikings, history, Jerusalem Bible, keeping up on current events and politics, and her chickens!
Mickey was a "Doer" and "Creator." She was interesting, smart, and fun to spend time with. She was a life-long learner with many interests and was good at everything! She liked sharing her knowledge and giving back. She touched many along the way in her life's journey. Like teachers do, she found ways for teachable moments. She was a woman of strong faith and convictions. After enduring 3 years of treatment and hospitalizations her body had had enough. Mickey passed peacefully in her sleep at home surrounded by loved ones. She will be forever in our hearts.
A Memorial Service for Marian "Mickey" Smith will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, visitation at 12:00 p.m. September 24, 2025, at Emily United Methodist Church, 39994 White Pine Street, Emily, MN 56447. A luncheon will follow the service.
If desired, memorials are preferred to Emily United Methodist Church.
Please take a cookbook with you in memory of Mickey after the service.
Past Services
Visitation
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
12:00 - 1:00 pm
Emily United Methodist Church
Memorial Service
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Starts at 1:00 pm
Emily United Methodist Church