Marian Joyce Smith

Marian Smith passed away on Sunday, January 26, 2020 at Pleasant View Good Samaritan Society in St. James. Marian Joyce Smith was born December 19, 1920, to Andrew and Magdalena (Rathman) Zender. She grew up on the family farm near Butterfield, MN, where she graduated from Butterfield High School. On July 27, 1941, she married James Benjamin Smith. Marian was deeply cherished as the matriarch of her very large family of eight children. With a gentle and loving leadership, she guided her flock as it grew by the dozens with grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren over the years. She ensured all family members felt loved and special. As a person that never asked for anything, her family gave her everything that mattered... respect, gratitude, adoration, and devotion. In addition to her endless work raising a large family, she worked at the Butterfield-Odin Elementary School as an aid, lunchroom, hall, and playground monitor. Everyone knew "Mrs. Smith"! When she retired, she was given her whistle that was used daily in her duties. She also loved gardening, especially flowers, had a very "green thumb", and was a wonderful cook and baker. Her grandchildren will forever reminisce about her famous chocolate chip cookies and summer potato salad with the "red magic". Marian was known for her witty remarks and subtle sense of humor. She garnered laughs without trying to be funny. To her audience's delight, she used interesting phrases and metaphors to liven conversations. These "Grandma-isms" quickly made their way into family folklore as family members began recalling them with one another. Her style of understated humor was a testament of her modesty and intelligence. Marian is survived by her children Karen (Albert) Haler of St. James, Barbara Boerner of Duluth, Kevin (Jan) Smith of Alexandria, Kathy Peters of Faribault, Marcia Moerke of Maple Grove, Teresa (Robert) Liesenfeld of Slayton, and Alan (Crystal) Smith of Phoenix, AZ, daughter-in-law Vickie Smith of Butterfield, 18 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren and her sister Celestine "Sally" Jonson, sister-in-law Kathleen Zender. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ben in 1992, son Richard, three sons-in-law, her parents, three brothers and one sister. Marian will be remembered for her love, humor, and leadership. She impressively lived to witness four generations of her offspring and she set a good example for all of them. With a calm and casual demeanor, she practiced her Catholic values in everyday life, resulting in a personality that was genuine and caring. Marian lived a long, healthy, fulfilling life that will be influential for years to come. In lieu of flowers memorial are preferred to St. James Catholic Church flower fund for the adornment of both the inside and outside of the church in Marian's memory. Visitation 1 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Thursday, January 30, 2020 Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel 906 - 10th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Rosary 4:30pm, Vigil Wake 6:45pm Thursday at the funeral home. Visitation 2 9:30 am - 10:30 am Friday, January 31, 2020 St. James Catholic Church, St. James 623 4th Street S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 10:30 am Friday, January 31, 2020 St. James Catholic Church, St. James 623 4th Street S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Interment Information Calvary Cemetery- St. James East of town on CR 27 Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081