Esther Smith

Esther Janet (Boekhoff) Smith, 80, of Conrad, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, June 24, 2014 at her home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 28, 2014 at the Conrad United Methodist Church with Pastor Gene Kubli officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. prior to the service. For further information or to send a condolence please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call (641) 844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Esther and her family. Esther was born October 8, 1933, in Grundy Center, Iowa, the daughter of John and Mary (Vanderwolf) Boekhoff. She grew up in Wellsburg , Iowa, and was excited to be part of the Iowa Girls State Basketball Championship Game in 1949. Esther was united to the love of her life Dale L. Smith on September 4, 1954, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Together they made their home in Conrad and lived in the house Dale built for the family. Esther loved her family and enjoyed watching and supporting her children and grandchildren at their many activities. She also enjoyed cooking, gardening, quilting, biking and loved sharing tea time with her family and friends. Esther is survived by and will be missed by her children: Terry and Kimberly (Smith) Benskin of Laurel, and their son, Carl; Clay and Tyler Smith, children of the late Douglas Smith; Chad and Karla (Smith) Dielschneider of Conrad, and their children; Kacie, Beau, and his wife, Jill; and Tanner, Korine (Smith) Edgerton and her children, Cameron Hayden, Esther, Hana, and Luke. Great-grandchildren: Sylvie Dielschneider and Ashton Hayden. Brother Arnold Boekhoff and his wife, Deloris of Wellsburg; and many nieces and nephews. Esther was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Dale; her son, Douglas, in 2008; her parents, John and Mary Boekhoff. Ten sisters: Fannie, Anna, Jennie, Ella, Marie, Carrie, Grace, Lorine, Evelyn, and Marlys. Eight brothers: Ben, Dick, Samuel, John Jr., Ernest, Albert, Lawrence, George, and one in infancy. Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society, in loving memory of Esther.