Marie K. Smith , 96, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, Jan. 15, 2010. She was a longtime resident of Willowbrook in Twin Falls.
Marie was born on Aug. 28, 1913, in Hailey, Idaho, grew up and went to school there. Her parents, John and Marie Browning, had immigrated from Denmark and farmed in the Blaine County area. Marie grew up with four siblings. She graduated from Gannett High school and was the only one of her family to attend college, earning a teaching certificate from Healds College in Berkeley, Calif.
Marie taught at Gannett School where her future husband, Glenn Smith, was principal. They married on June 28, 1936, and had one daughter, Carol Marie.
As a teacher she was dedicated to her students. She taught high school business at Bellevue and Hailey schools and finished her 32-year career at Hailey High School. Her students won many honors and awards, a tribute to her teaching skills. In addition to a heavy teaching load, Marie was advisor to several classes, advisor for the school yearbook and the school paper, and directed many school plays.
Flowers were her passion. In her yard at Hailey, the fences were lined with sweet peas and the walks were lined with petunias. Marie was a busy lady and her summers, when she was not attending summer school, were filled with yard work. Her seamstress work was admired and she sewed for the Idaho Department Store in Twin Falls and other towns. She was a friend to her fellow teachers and always boarded one of the high school teachers in her home. And, of course, she was an admired and loving mother, grandmother and mother-in-law. She enjoyed the family gatherings and was a great cook. Serving great meals to her family and friends was her favorite thing to do.
Marie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Glenn Smith; two brothers, Charlie and Johnny Browning; and her sister, Anna Clark . She is survived by her daughter Carol (Chuck) Brockway of Twin Falls, nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and her sister, Ethel Buhler.
A service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, at Wood River Chapel on Main Street in Hailey, Idaho, with interment in the Hailey Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Rosenau Funeral Home in Twin Falls.
