Mary Smith

Mary Elizabeth (Huth) Smith passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at Gunderson St. Joseph Hospital in Hillsboro. She was born on December 22, 1929 the daughter of Herman and Vera (Dieter) Huth. Mary graduated from Richland Center High School in 1947. On September 7, 1948, she married the love of her life, Bennie Smith, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Boaz. The couple was blessed with a daughter Susan in 1955.

In 1951, they moved to their farm in Rockbridge Township where they spent their entire life. They attended church at St. Paul's, St. Luke's and St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Muscoda until her death. Mary was secretary for the Richland County Nurse, the Richland County Superintendent of Schools, then the Carnation Company Office for 13 years until the plant closed. She then went to work at JC Penney Store Office, secretary at the Richland Center High School for 5 years, then Jefferson School for 22 years until her retirement in 1996. After Bennie's death in 1998, she worked part time at the Shopping News and the Rockbridge Voting Polls.

Mary and her husband always enjoyed watching their grandchildren, Timothy and Shelly in their sports. The family camped and snowmobiled, traveling to the State of Oregon and other places in the west.

Mary also enjoyed helping on the farm and going to craft fairs with Susan with her doll clothes. In 2009, Mary was awarded the Outstanding Farm Woman.

Mary is survived by her daughter Susan (LeRoy) Haffner;

Grandchildren: Timothy Haffner,

Shelly (Jason) Drake;

Great-grandchildren: Tristen 'TJ', Jocelyn, Callie Drake;

Sister: Kay Hoffman;

Nephews: Gene (Ruth) Tiser, Scott Hoffman, Eric Hoffman, Chuck (Elaine) Bartle, Gary Bartle;

Niece: Debbie (Terry) Yanske;

Other relatives and friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bennie, sister, Shirley (Henry) Bartle, niece Patricia Bartle, sister-in-law Berniece (George) Tiser.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 11:00 AM at the Pratt Memorial Chapel with burial to follow in the Richland Center Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at the Pratt Memorial Chapel from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM and again on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM. The family suggests memorials in Mary's name be directed to St. Peter's Lutheran Church. The Pratt Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting the family with their arrangements.