Ursula W. L. Smith

1942 - 2022

- Ursula W. L. Smith – tenderhearted mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, friend, and faithful daughter of God – returned to the loving arms of her Heavenly Father and was reunited with her beloved Reed on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. She had just come inside to relax after spending a beautiful day "digging in the dirt" with a few of her grandchildren.

Ursula was born in Stadthagen, Germany in 1942 to Frieda and H. Wolfgang Leverkus. She had fond memories of the idyllic Germany countryside prior to World War II. In 1944 her father was reported MIA while serving in the army engineering corps. Ursula and the rest of her family miraculously escaped the bombings and immigrated to the United States in August of 1952. Ursula was only 9 and didn't speak English yet within four months after arrival, she started communicating with her classmates at the Holladay Elementary School. This was not an easy transition period. Fortunately, she had her big brother Ewald as a friend and protector.

After graduating from Olympus High School, Ursula attended the University of Utah. She was a skilled drafting designer, and one of the only women in her field. She met Reed Smith at a church dance. Reed said Ursula "was the prettiest girl he'd ever seen." In 1964, they married in the Salt Lake Temple and moved to Bountiful, UT shortly thereafter, where they raised their four children. They were life-long members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

To be home with her children after school, Ursula worked in the school cafeteria in the Davis County School District and later as a Realtor. Years later her love of travel prompted her to work many years for Marriott reservations and participate in the all-expense-paid "FAM" trips to become familiar with the various Marriott hotels and resorts.

Ursula had gentle spirit and loved all of God's creations. She would feed birds, hummingbirds (and squirrels), take care of her pets, and attend to the needs of animals everywhere. She was genuine, kind, gave smothering hugs, and loved with her whole heart. She was a people person; everywhere she went she would complement a stranger and made friends readily.

Ursula also had a mischievous side. She loved to tell stories, make jokes, and pull pranks; but her impish grin often gave her away. She loved her independence and never wanted to be a burden or cause any inconvenience. She was a peacemaker, rarely complaining and often putt the needs of others before her own.

Ursula was creative and talented. She could sew, quilt, knit, crochet, and cross-stitch beautifully. Over the years, hundreds of people were gifted with her home-made quilts, blankets, afghans, wall hangings, Christmas stockings, burp cloths and baby bibs. Ursula also enjoyed gardening and could grow anything, a talent passed on from her mother; she was especially proud of her asparagus and dahlias.

Ursula never forgot her German roots. An excellent baker, she made a mean Bienenstich cake, and introduced all the in-laws to her delicious roulade, rotkohl, and potato pancakes. She cooked it all with a "little bit" of this and a "pinch of that, so no one can make it quite like she could, but we will try to keep the traditions alive.

Ursula is survived by her children Kevin (RaeLynn) Smith, Gary (Marilyn) Smith, Christina (Don) Booher, and Meresa (Rocky) Malin; her brother Ewald (Cathy) Leverkus,; 21 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; sister in-law Karen Smith; brother-in-law V. Jay (LaWana) Smith; and numerous extended family members. Preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother-in-law Darrell Smith and stepfather Ewald Bretthauer.

Viewings will be held on Thursday, May 26, from 6-8 pm at Russon Brothers Mortuary (295 N. Main, Bountiful) and Friday, May 27, from 9:45-10:45 am at the Mueller Park Stake Center (1800 Mueller Park Rd., Bountiful). The funeral will follow at 11:00 am. Interment and a family graveside service will take place at the Bountiful City Cemetery.

We love and miss you, Ursula! We're happy you and Reed are together again and will do our best to carry on your legacy of love.