Cover photo for Mary Martha Smith's Obituary
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1923 Mary 2016

Mary Martha Smith

April 13, 1923 — August 11, 2016

Mary Martha Smith, 93, a resident of Fergus Falls, peacefully passed away Thursday, August 11, 2016 at PioneerCare in Fergus Falls, her home for over five years.

Mary Martha was born on April 13, 1923, to Thorwald and Frances (Hedin) Soldahl in Willmar. She was very close to her younger brother, Tom, she fondly called Bud. She attended schools in Willmar, Williston, ND, and elementary school in St. Paul and Minneapolis. High school years began at Edison High, where Mary Martha and Fred met as Juniors. Her graduation followed in 1941 from West High in Minneapolis.

On September 5, 1943, Mary Martha married Fred Smith at Concordia Lutheran Church, where she earlier had been confirmed. She was able to be with Fred in Davis, CA, during part of his advanced Army Signal Corps training, before his service in the South Pacific and Japan.

Thankful upon Fred’s return, they again made their home in Minneapolis, where their three children were born. In 1955 a move was made to Fergus Falls for Fred’s work with Graybar Electric Company.

After graduation she worked as a telephone operator, a bookkeeper for Lutheran Brotherhood Insurance, and while in California, for Skippy Peanut Butter.

Mary Martha was Mother, homemaker, artist, volunteer. Everyone knew of her avid love of reading, and marvelous skill with fabric. Artistic endeavors were shown through her cut glass mosaics, oil paintings, porcelain and ceramic figurines, plus beautiful quilts for family. Adept in any conversation, she exhibited an amazing vocabulary and a broad spectrum of knowledge.

For many years, she volunteered her time and energies in several directions. At First Lutheran Church, Mary Martha led Bible studies, sang in the choir, and taught Christian Art Symbols as a Choir School art teacher. She was a tireless chairperson for the Otter Tail County DFL, preceding the election of Jimmy Carter as president, whose Inauguration she attended. She was a long term Red Cross Volunteer, who also graciously donated a total of 6 gallons of blood to the American Red Cross. As an encourager of education, she served on numerous PTA committees. She enjoyed membership in Sons of Norway and the VFW Auxiliary, and being a former Camp Fire Girls Leader.

Mary Martha chronicled life’s event as a family photographer. She loved spending time with family and friends, enjoyed several special reunions, including trips to Scandinavia. Fred and Mary Martha were blessed with longevity, and an opportunity to live in Arizona as “Winter Residents” for 20 winters. They were charter members of Peace Lutheran Church in Peoria, AZ.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Tom; and daughter-in-law, Barb.

Mary Martha is survived by her husband of 72 years, Fred Smith of Fergus Falls; her three children, Susan (Gary) Clambey of Moorhead, Mark (Ramona) Smith of Ramsey and Paul Smith of Saint Paul; four grandchildren, Mark Steven of Coon Rapids, Eric (Linda) of Denver, CO, Bryce (Dacotah) of Portland, OR, and Shelley (Alexis) of San Francisco, CA; five great-grandchildren, Jeffrey and Michael of Coon Rapids, Lula and Hank of Denver, CO, and Tabor of Portland, OR; Goddaughter, Nancy Hertzog of Castro Valley, CA; special friend, Jo Steffens of Battle Lake; sisters-in-law, Florence Soldahl of Castro Valley, CA, and Jean Hammond of Pico Rivera, CA; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Thanks for the special loving care from everyone at PioneerCare, and thanks to Lakeland Hospice for compassionate assistance. Thank you, Mary Martha, for sharing your love, care, wit, and encouragement. You will be missed!

Visitation: 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 16, 2016, at the Olson Funeral Home, with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.
Service: 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 17, 2016, at First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls
Clergy: Reverend Saul Stensvaag
Interment: First Lutheran North Cemetery in Fergus Falls, MN
Arrangements: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, MN.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Martha Smith, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

5:00 - 7:00 pm (Eastern time)

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Prayer Service

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Starts at 6:30 pm (Eastern time)

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Service

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)

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