Clarice Smeby

Clarice Smeby, age 89, of McIntosh, MN, passed away on Thursday (January 21st) at the Pioneer Memorial Care Center in Erskine, MN. Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 25th, 2010 at 11:00 AM at Vernes Lutheran Church, rural McIntosh, with Pastor Ryan Rasmussen officiating. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 3:00 to 5:00 PM with a prayer service at 4:30 PM at Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home in Fosston, MN., and there will also be reviewal for one hour prior to the funeral at the church. Interment will be at the church cemetery. The Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home serving McIntosh is in charge of the arrangements. Sympathy messages may be sent at www.carlinhoialmen.com. Clarice Leola Christenson was born June 24, 1920 at home in Sletten Township, rural Winger, MN to Ole and Hattie (Hoyne) Christenson. Nurtured and grounded in faith, she was baptized and confirmed at Bethel Lutheran Church near Winger. After graduating from McIntosh High School in 1939 she attended Bemidji State College. She graduated in 1943 with a science major and her skills were in high demand since many of her male colleagues were serving in World War II. She spent three years teaching science at Blackduck High School.On June 22, 1947 Clarice married Sidney Smeby. Together they farmed and raised a family in Hill River township north of McIntosh until Sidney's death in 1993. She continued to live on the farm until 2000 when she moved into Senior Citizen Housing in McIntosh. Increasing health concerns brought her to the Pioneer Memorial Care Center for the past year and a half. Clarice passed away there on Thursday, January 21, 2010 at the age of 89 years, 6 months, and 28 days.She is survived by three sons: Owen (Carrie) Smeby, Long Lake, MN; Chester (Connie) Smeby, Winger; Glen (Tina) Smeby, Baldwin, WI and a daughter Sharon (Glen) Hoekman, Sioux Falls, SD; one sister, Sylvia (Jim) Christian, Eden Prairie, MN; one sister-in-law, Alma (Smeby) Baalson, Brooten, MN; twelve grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren; Neil (Gen) Smeby, Alan Smeby and his daughter Emily, Bruce (Nikki) Smeby, Caren (Ben) Hammer, Carr (Melissa) Smeby, Andrea (Dan) Storm, Austin (Mallory) Hoekman and their son Paul, Kevin (Katie) Hoekman, Marcia Smeby and her son Logan, Chad Smeby, Sydney and Isabelle Smeby, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Sidney, a son Stanley, an infant daughter, and a brother, Orton Christenson.Clarice was known for her lifelong love of learning and reading. Every day she faithfully prayed for her family, neighbors, and friends. She was a longtime and active member of Vernes Lutheran church. She felt blessed to be part of her church family. Her compassion for people in need was inspiring to those who knew her. She was known for her wit and honesty and was famous for her angel food cakes, gardening, and practical bargain hunting. She enjoyed spending time outdoors and appreciated God's creation.