Blane Smith | ||
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| Blane passed away Wednesday morning, October 28, 2009 at the Oakland Manor Nursing Home in Oakland, IA.
Berton Blane Smith, one of three children of Berton Marion Smith and Nina Marguerite (Besore) Smith, was born on March 24, 1927 at Carson, Iowa. He attended country school near Carson and graduated from Carson High School in 1946. Following school, he farmed until joining the United States Navy, where he served in Korea on the USS St. Paul, a heavy cruiser ship. After serving for four years in the Navy, Blane returned home to farming. On August 21, 1951, Blane and Betty Maxine Elswick were married in Hiawatha, Kansas. They made their home near Carson where Blane farmed and Betty was a farm wife and homemaker. Their marriage was blessed with four children, Rebecca Ann, Monte Ray, Tony Marion, and Andrew Jay. Along with the farming, Blane raised chickens, sheep, hogs and cattle. He loved to garden and share the produce with his family and friends. Blane was a jack-of-all-trades and for many years, drove a school bus for the Riverside School District and later for the Treynor School. In addition to the school route, he drove many miles transporting students to their various ball games and other special activities. Blane was very active and supportive in his community. He was a member of the Carson United Methodist Church, Carson Coral Masonic Lodge No. 430, and the Carson American Legion Post 556. He helped with the Carson Rodeo, enjoyed playing Santa Claus, and always was willing to lend a hand to help a friend. Another of his many enjoyments was dancing, especially the “jitterbug.” In August of this year, Blane and Betty celebrated 58 years of marriage. Due to failing health, Blane moved to the Oakland Manor in February of 2009, where he passed away on October 28, 2009, at the age of 82 years, 7 months, and 4 days. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law, Judith Ann Smith; and brothers-in-law, Allen “Doc” Palmer, Kenneth Elswick, and Harold Elswick and wife Bernie. Blane is survived by his wife Betty; daughter Becky Smith of Council Bluffs, IA; sons, Monte Smith of Pacific Junction, IA, Tony Smith, Andy Smith and wife Andrea, all of Carson; four grandchildren, Zachary Ratashak, serving in the US Navy in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Daniel Smith of Pacific Junction; Tyler Smith of Ames, IA; and Cassie Smith of Carson; sisters, Donna Smith of Avoca, IA and Kathy Batman and husband Nile of Milford, IA; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Palmer Swig of Council Bluffs, and Eloise Elswick of Lincoln, NE; nieces, nephews; other relatives and many friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the donor's choice. Interment in the Carson Cemetery at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, November 1, 2009. | ||