Mildred Kay Smith
Mildred “Millie” Kay Smith, 77, Rochester, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday morning, May 31, 2017 at her residence.
On Nov. 20, 1939, Mildred Kay Beach was born in Valparaiso. She was a cherished daughter of Clarence and Lillian Erwin Beach. Growing up she shared her childhood with a sister Carolyn and brother Cliff. In 1957 she graduated from Morgan Township High School.
In Valparaiso on June 8, 1957, Mille married the love of her life, Mr. Dale Somers Smith. Together the shared nearly 60 years of life’s adventures, marking their anniversary of six decades next week. From their union came three wonderful children Dave, Sandy and Kevin. Their family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
A devoted member of the Whippoorwill Community Church, Millie played the piano for Sunday services for the past 30 years. Prior to this she was a member and played for the Kewanna Church of Christ. During the winter season she and Dale attended faithfully, the MacGregor Baptist Church, in Ft. Myers, FL . Bunko was Millie’s game of choice. She was an accomplished member of the Kewanna Gals Bunko Club. This past winter they enjoyed a cruise celebrating 50 years together as a club.
Three seasonal rotations composed Millie’s world: planting, the harvest and Florida. Estero was their home away from home for the winter months. The sunshine, sand and surf welcomed them every December. She and Dale enjoyed over a thirty-five year stint garnering many close friendships.
An avid reader, Millie read many books. She was a self-taught musician, playing the keyboard and piano for her enjoyment. A sports enthusiast, Millie loved watching the Chicago Bulls, especially Michael Jordan during their years of dominance. She also enjoyed NCAA basketball and March Madness.
To relax, Millie enjoyed catching the warm summer breeze while sitting in the gazebo. Centrally located on the homestead, she could oversee the field work and observe the tractors and trucks coming and going. With the bountiful autumn harvest, Millie’s preferred position was her special seat in the elevator office weighing trucks in and out. Each spring she planted flowers to enhance the landscape of her home. She also enjoyed yard work, riding her John Deere mower, cutting and trimming the with meticulous care. When her job was complete the yard was groomed to perfection. It was her own gold standard.
As the matriarch of the Smith family, Grandma Millie was quite at home from her kitchen command post. She was a proud mother and farm wife assisting Dale with overseeing the daily operations, sometimes driving a tractor or pulling a cart. In the early years Grandma Millie served as the Smith farms # 1 combine driver. The grandchildren enjoyed riding with her for many hours during each harvest season. Of course she made certain everyone was fed with a feast during the busy seasons of the planting and harvest. Millie thoroughly enjoyed hosting family celebrations and holiday gatherings. Paramount in her life were her grandchildren. During their formative years she was their number one cheerleader whether it was at 4-H events and livestock competition, horse shows, 4-wheeler racing, court side for a basketball or volleyball game or on the bleachers at a tractor pull, Grandma Millie could always be seen cheering from the stands.
Left to cherish Millie’s memory her husband, Dale; three children: Dave Smith and wife Melana, Sandy Owens and husband Gray, Kevin Smith and wife Chris all of Rochester; 10 grandchildren: Lindsay Straeter and husband Matt, Linnea Baney and husband Jim, Luke Smith and wife Cassie, Landon Smith and wife Heather, Arik Owens and wife Erin, Jason Owens and wife Melinda, Stacey Miller and husband David, Ciara Kalischuk and husband Tyson, Travis Smith and wife Ashlie, Olivia Smith; great grandchildren: Ellie and Mason Straeter, Parker and Asher Smith, Lydia Baney, Abby Owens, Kensie and Jake Owens; a sister, Carolyn Beach of Kouts; a brother Cliff Beach and wife Dawn of Valparaiso and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding Millie in death are her parents, a grandson, Lance David Smith and a great granddaughter, Allison Owens.
A celebration of the life of Millie Smith will be at 11 a.m. Monday, June 5 in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 West 18th St., Rochester with Pastor Brian Sewell officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 4-8 p.m. Sunday, June 4 and one hour prior to the services in the funeral home. Interment will be in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Whippoorwill Community Church Building Fund, 4795 N. 200 W., Rochester, IN 46975 Electronic expressions of sympathy may be made to her family at www.goodfamilyfh.com.