Henrietta Esther Smith, 99, of Elgin, died Wednesday, May 6, at her home.
A service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Elgin United Methodist Church with Pastor Jerry Peters officiating. Committal and vault interment will follow at the Elgin Cemetery. Friends may call at Daniels Valley Funeral Chapel Friday afternoon and evening.
Mrs. Smith was born on February 25, 1893, in Jackson, Minn., the fifth of eight children to William Henry and Louisa (Brandt) Cruikshank. In 1902, she moved with her family to a farm 20 miles from Elgin.
In 1911 she married Ira Smith and they lived for several years in Gridley, Calif., before coming to the farm on Gordon Creek Road where she spent the rest of her life. They had five children.
She enjoyed homemaking, gardening and helping her husband on the farm, as well as being an active member of the Elgin United Methodist Church as long as she was able.
Survivors include sons Thomas of Ontario and George of Elgin; daughters Marie of Portland and Florence of Elgin; 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. Her husband, a stepson, Harry; a daughter, Beulah; four sisters; three brothers, and a great-grandson died earlier.
The family suggests that those who wish may make contributions to the Shriner’s’s Hospital for Crippled Children or the Memorial Fund of the Elgin United Methodist Church in care of Daniels Valley Funeral chapel, 1502 Seventh St., La Grande 97850.
The Observer Newspaper, La Grande, Oregon, Friday, May 8, 1992
