Lilas Smith

Lilas Marie Smith, 88, passed away on the evening of Friday June 19th, 2015 at Ivinson Memorial Hospital in Laramie, Wyoming surrounded by her family and holding the hand of her sweetheart of over 71 years. Lilas Turner was born May 11, 1927 in Brewster, Nebraska to Fred and Augusta Turner. She was an only child. During high school she met the love of her life, Laddie Guy Smith. They were married on August 4, 1944 and soon started their family on the Smith Ranch in Brewster. In 1955, they moved to Kennebec, South Dakota to make their new home on the Medicine Creek Ranch on the Lower Brule Reservation. After living in Kennebec for 12 years, they moved the ranch to the Big Laramie River in Laramie, Wyoming in 1967. Lilas was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was an amazing cook and always made sure that everyone was fed when they came to the house. She loved to bake and there were always “treats” around. Most nights she could be found sitting at the table enjoying a bowl of chocolate ice cream. She had a knack for saving money at the grocery store and loved clipping coupons and reading the weekly ads. Her hobbies were playing solitaire, doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles, and going to garage sales. She possessed a contagious smile, an entertaining sense of humor and had the sweetest, most simple demeanor. Gram could be found humming a tune or singing lullabies. She loved the song “When You Wore a Tulip” by Judy Garland. She and Laddie loved to listen to music and dance. If you were lucky, you might catch a glimpse of them scooting around the kitchen. Lilas loved her family with all her heart. She had an uncanny knack of knowing everyone’s birthday, and never missed sending a birthday or anniversary card. She taught her family to love deeply and cherished the time when they were around. Her life lessons will be cherished forever and her constant joy will never be forgotten. Lilas is preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Augusta Turner, a daughter Vicki King, and great grandson Gary Puls. She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Laddie, six children including Janice Jennings of Laramie, Kelly Smith of Laramie, Grady (Suzie) Smith of Laramie, Troy (Twila) Smith of Torrington, Wyoming, Tammy Smith of Laramie and Tina (Jon) Ball of Corvallis, Oregon, and a multitude of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great, great grandchildren. Local services will be held on Saturday, June 27, at 10am at the United Church of Christ in Brewster, Nebraska, with Pastor Lee Wonch officiating. Burial will be in the Brewster Cemetery. Govier Bros. Mortuary of Broken Bow is in charge of local arrangements. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to a charity of your choice.