Virginia Mae Smith

Sutton resident, Virginia Mae Smith, 95, passed away Wednesday, June 21, 2017, at the Henderson Health Care Hospital in Henderson, NE. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 26, 2017, at Zion Lutheran Church in Sutton, NE with Vicar Tim Stacy and Pastor Renee Johnson officiating. Interment will follow at the Sutton Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, from 1 p.m. - 8 p.m., with the family present from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m., at Sutton Memorial Chapel in Sutton. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family to be designated later. Virginia was born August 26, 1921, in Fillmore County to Helmuth Leopold and Pauline (Pope) Peter. She received her elementary education at District 31 in Fillmore County and graduated from Sutton High School in 1940. On March 15, 1941, Virginia married Harold Goldson Smith in Springfield, OR, and this union was blessed with three children: Patricia Ann, Marcea Mae and James Allen. After Harold returned from the World War II, Harold and Virginia made their home in Sutton, where he and his brother, Merle, owned and operated Smith Bros. Implement, an Allis Chalmers dealership. Virginia was a homemaker all her life and did beautiful handwork, such as hand-stitched quilts for each of her children and grandchildren, crocheted baby blankets and dishcloths, embroidered pillow cases, pine needle baskets and clay figurines. Her family members often were the recipients of these gifts and they are cherished by all who received them. Virginia's latest artistic outlet was adult coloring books, of which she had colored over 2000 pages. She was an avid sports enthusiast, with her favorite teams being the Nebraska Huskers and Duke Blue Devils basketball team. Virginia loved sports of all kinds, and especially the NCAA basketball tournament. She couldn't wait until the brackets were out so she could keep track of all the scores. She also loved to watch the NCAA College World Series and attending the sporting events of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Virginia was a member of the Fairview Extension Club, American Legion Auxilliary Post #61 and 8 et 40, Hastings, NE. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and is survived by her three children, Pat (Duane) Majors of Sutton, NE; Marcy Paymal (Rick Beahm) of Hastings, NE; and Jim (Marcia) Smith of Sutton, NE; eight grandchildren, Jason (Teri) Majors of Sutton, NE; Jay (Becky) Waegli; Mark (Kari) Majors; and Scott (Alisha) Waegli all of Lincoln, NE; B J (Meredith) Smith of Sutton, NE; Melissa (Gant) Mourer of Morrison, OK; Jamie (Travis) Tinsman of Hastings, NE; and Robin (Derek) Griess of Sutton, NE; 21 great-grandchildren, Jordan Allen and fiancé, Ethan Porter; Gavin, Kane and Logan Majors; Kate, Maegan and Lauren Majors; Colton and Emma Mourer; Lily, Briley and Keaton Griess; Sam, Joe and Sadie Waegli; Karlie and Jake Waegli; Reagan Vavricek and Myles Smith; and Ella and Quinn Tinsman; many nieces and nephews and a host of friends. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Harold Smith on April 30, 1977; infant brothers, Donald Peter and Helmuth Peter Jr.; brother, Harris Peters; and brothers-in-law, Roy Day Jr.; Robert Durbin and Merle Smith; sister-in-law, Bernice Smith; mother-in-law, Christina Smith; father-in-law, Goldson Alonzo (Johnny) Smith. She will be missed by all who knew her and leaves behind a legacy of love for her family.

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Virginia Mae Smith

August 26, 1921 - June 21, 2017