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Monica Patricia Smith, beloved wife, mother and grandmother passed away on April 15, 2021 surrounded by her family. She is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Edward Smith, brother Lawrence (Betty) Higgins of Omaha, daughter Nancy (Rich) Johnson of Fort Calhoun, sons James (Karen) Smith of Council Bluffs, Larry (Julie) Smith of Blair, Bob (Sharon) Smith of Blair, Mike (Joyce) Smith of Fort Calhoun, David(Annie) Smith of Kennard, 17 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, several great great grandchildren and many extended family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her father, Lawrence Higgins, mother Helen (Noonan) Higgins , sister Rosemary Drees and brother-in-law Dennis Drees.

After graduating from high school in Dunlap, IA in 1952, she worked at a furniture store in Dunlap Iowa. She was joined in marriage with Edward James Smith on April 28, 1956. They lived in Blair, Ne and then moved to Fort Calhoun, Ne in 1966. Monica worked as a cook at the elementary school while raising her family and was a 2nd mom to hundreds of children who came through her lunch line. Her home was always open to anyone who visited or needed a place to stay. She was a devoted catholic and member of St. John's Catholic church for many years. Monica loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved camping, puzzles, bingo and playing piano. She always had a smile on her face when anybody came through the door. She was a very loving wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law and aunt who valued family and friends above all else.

VISITATION AND ROSARY SERVICE: 5:00-7:00 pm Sunday, April 18, 2021 with Rosary Service at 7:00 pm at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church. Social Distancing will be observed and face masks are recommended.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: 10:00 am Monday, April 19, 2021 also at St. John’s.

INTERMENT: Fort Calhoun Cemetery.

MEMORIALS SUGGESTED TO: St. John The Baptist Catholic Church.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #225877866