Grace Smith

VICTOR - Grace Smith, 93, of Victor passed away on July 31, 2013 at the Marcus Daly Hospice and Palliative Care center. She was born February 10, 1920, in Manhattan, Montana. She grew up there on the dairy farm of her parents, Sam and Grace Rykels.

Grace graduated from Manhattan High school in 1938 and with her sisters, Ida and Janet, went to Montana State Normal College in Dillon, graduating in 1941. She was an elementary school teacher at various grade levels between then and 1968. She taught at Victor, Corvallis, Darby, Helena, and Hamilton. Grace completed her Bachelor of Arts Degree at the University of Montana in Missoula in 1961.

Grace was married to Leslie Smith on October 6, 1944. They had one child, Maxine on May 22, 1948. In 1968 Les, who was postmaster in Victor, died from an accident while riding a horse. Grace then was appointed to replace him, and was postmaster until she retired in 1965.

Grace was a lifetime member of Eastern Star in Victor. She was the oldest member of the VFW Auxiliary, joining in 1946. She was involved with the Salvation Army, and was presented with a volunteer of the year award. She served on the Council on Aging for many years. Grace was a member of the Victor Senior Citizens, and was instrumental in getting the Senior Citizens Center Built in Victor.

Grace enjoyed picnics, especially up Big Creek. She lived independently on her farm, watching the deer, elk, and other wildlife from her home, and drove to lunch at the Senior Center daily until her death. She liked to read and did crossword puzzle daily.

Grace was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Les; brother, John; and sister, Janet. She is survived by her sister, Ida; daughter, Maxine Krowen and husband Duane; granddaughters, Terri and Jaclyn Krowen and Jaime Zakour; great-grandchildren, Taylor, Parker, and Addison; and nieces and nephews, Dave, Glenna, Leslie, Ken, Bob, Sam, and Andy. She will be dearly missed by her cats, Samantha and Willow.

The family suggests that memorials be made to the Victor Senior Citizens Center, or the Salvation Army.