Elaine A. Smith

Elaine Smith, 94, Browns Valley, MN, passed away Monday, January 15, 2018, at the Browns Valley Health Center.

Funeral services will be Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Presbyterian Church in Browns Valley with Rev. Abigail Ozanne officiating.  Music will be provided by organist Carmen Hills and vocalist Marcy LeClair.

Burial will be in the Valley View Cemetery.  Urn bearers will be her grandchildren.

Visitation will be Saturday, February 3, one hour prior to the service at the church.

Elaine Adair was born December 8, 1923, to Clarence and Ada (Steele) Akre in Sisseton, SD.  Shortly after her birth, she and her family moved to Montevideo, MN, where her parents owned and operated Akre's Quality Bakery until her father's death in 1926 of tuberculosis.  She and her brother Bill lived with her grandmother until 1930 when her mother married Leonard Olson in Browns Valley.  Elaine attended school in Browns Valley for eleven years and was the salutatorian of her senior class.  She attended Paul's Beauty Academy in Minneapolis and worked as a beautician for Edith Neumiester in Browns Valley and then for Sammy Wilson in Sisseton.  The summer of 1943, Elaine, her mother and Aunt Jean went to California where they worked as "Rosie the Riveters" at North American during World War II building B17 bombers.

On September 11, 1943, Elaine married William Moland Smith at Browns Valley.  They lived on a farm ten miles north of Browns Valley.  In 1951 they purchased the John Geurts farm and lived there until 1999. Moland passed away in 1981.

Elaine was a member of the Browns Valley United Methodist Church, where she served as Sunday school superintendent.  Elaine sang in the Browns Valley Community Choir.  She founded and was a 40-year member of the LaFemme Club as well as belonging to the Red Hats.  Elaine was also known as the "Tabs Lady" because she collected pop can tabs for the Cancer Society and Ronald McDonald House.  At one time, she collected 93 plus pounds of tabs.  She also participated in bowling leagues and bridge and cribbage clubs.

Elaine's hobbies included playing piano and organ, knitting, crocheting, gardening, golfing, and fishing. She enjoyed traveling to Arizona and many other places. Elaine was a very dedicated Minnesota Vikings fan.  She especially loved spending time with her grandkids.

Survivors include her children, Joan (Gary) Ingemunson of Simi Valley, CA, Michael (Deborah) Smith of Browns Valley, and Diane (Dennis) Berneking of Browns Valley; grandchildren, Rebecca Doschadis, Robert (Jen) Haukos, Matthew (Denise) Smith, Kristi (Travis) DeJong, Sarah (Ryan) Peterson, Dallas (Kay) Berneking, and Adam Smith; 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Ada; stepfather, Leonard Olson; husband, William Moland Smith; son, David Smith; daughter-in-law, Suzan Smith; son-in-law, Merrill Haukos; brother, Wyllis; sisters-in-law, Cleo Akre and Katherine Smith; and brother-in-law, Secord Smith.

The family requests memorials be directed to the Browns Valley Ambulance or the Salvation Army.