Etta Smith
September 7th, 1912 - July 22nd, 2006
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Etta's Obituary
Etta Smith, 93, left this life on July 22, 2006 for a joyous reunion with her family in heaven. Etta was born on September 7, 1912, one of eight children of Joe and Ada Brenner. She was raised in Casco and spent her entire life in the South Haven area. She graduated from South Haven High School in 1931. Etta married Ormond Smith in 1936, who served in the Army during WW II and was one of the few who survived the “Battle of the Bulge.”
They loved to travel, especially with her sister and brother in-law Cora and Art VanErkel, with whom they built a cottage on Osterhaut Lake together. Etta and her sister Cora built the fireplace themselves in the cottage.
Etta loved to entertain people, always a refined and gracious host. She meticulously tended her yard and gardens. She was committed to the English (Peace) Lutheran Church, as well as the Scott Club. Etta had a large extended family of niece’s and nephews that she loved dearly, as they loved her. In her later years she would always be with her sisters Cora VanErkel and Edith Willis along with her dear friend Cornelia Jogenson.
Etta was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Ormond Smith. Her two brothers, Robert and Carl Brenner, 4 sisters: Lima Newton, Nina Newton, Cora VanErkel and Sarah Brenner.
Her husband was taken from her abruptly by a heart attack in 1966 while on his mail route.
She is survived by her sister, Edith Willis, her nieces and nephews; Tom (Sandy) VanErkel, Monty (Cheri) Brenner, Louie (Janet) Newton, Rita Olsen, Sally Grove, Helen Horn, and Cheryl (Dan) Pacyna. Also surviving are many great-nephews and nieces.
Visitation will be Tuesday evening, July 26, 2006, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Filbrandt Family Funeral Home, with a graveside service on Wednesday, July 27, 2006, 11:00 a.m. at Lakeview Cemetery, South Haven, MI. A luncheon will follow at the Peace Lutheran Church on Blue Star Highway. Both Pastor Raymond Bartels and Pastor Robert Linstrom have helped the family
Donations in Etta’s memory may be made to Hospice of South Haven, The Peace Lutheran Church or donation of their choice.
The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven.
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