Laurine Thelma (Brown) Smith, 94, of Lincoln passed away peacefully on April 7, 2020. Born February 15, 1926 to Arthur and Ruth (Dixon) Brown in Rapid City, SD. Her family then moved to Gordon and Hays Springs, Nebraska as her father was in the grocery business. Laurine attended Hay Springs High School where she enjoyed playing the French horn in the band, singing in the chorus, girls trio and sextet. She was also a cheerleader and worked for her dad at the grocery store. Laurine graduated from Hays Springs High School in 1944. She married the love of her life and high school sweetheart Marle D. Smith on July 10, 1944 in Alexandria, Louisiana where Marle was stationed with the US Army Air Corp. To this union two sons, Marle “Chip” Gerard and Arthur “Mick” Michael were born. Chip was born in 1945 when Marle was a POW in Germany during World War II. Son, Mick was born the following year in 1946.
Laurine and Marle moved with their children to Chadron in 1956 where she worked for First National Bank of Chadron and as a Payroll Clerk for Chadron State College through the years. She was a member of the Chadron Methodist Church, PEO Chapter FP, American Legion Auxiliary, and the Chadron State College Golden Eagles. Laurine enjoyed playing bridge and making many different kinds of candy at Christmas to share with family and friends. The greatest joys in her life were her grandchildren and great grandchildren and they even gave her a special name, Grandma “Reen”. In 2011, she moved to Lincoln to be closer to her family. Laurine loved every minute she was able to spend with her grandchildren celebrating birthdays, holidays, and attending their events. She was their biggest fan.
Laurine is survived by son, Arthur “Mick” Smith of Portland, OR; daughter-in-law Marilyn Smith of Lincoln; grandson, Dustin (Amber) Smith of Lincoln; granddaughters, Stacy Graham of Lincoln and Sonja Edwards of Portland, OR; great grandchildren, Bridger Marle, Carly Genevieve, Kennedy Laurine Smith and Colton Christopher Graham all of Lincoln; and a niece and several nephews and their families. Preceded in death by her parents; sister, Dona L. Goertler; husband, Marle D. Smith; and son, Marle “Chip” G. Smith.
A memorial service will be held at a later date at the United Methodist Church in Chadron.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church in Chadron; the Marle, Laurine, and Chip Smith Scholarship Fund at the Chadron State College Foundation; or Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lincoln.