Teresa Marie Smith went peacefully to her heavenly home on May 18, 2023. She was born on June 11, 1930 to John and Marguerite (Hollenback) Rogers in Deer Lodge, MT the sixth of eight children.
As a devoted wife, mom and gramma, she gave her life caring for her family. She married Wayland D. Smith on November 12, 1949, they spent 73 years together and raised twelve children.
Her early years were spent on the ranch in Gold Creek. She attended grade school at the Pioneer Wallace School. Her high school years were spent in Missoula at Sacred Heart Academy, graduating in 1948.
She gave many years of service to the Cub Scouts and Helena Gold Rush Lions. She was an accomplished seamstress, blessing many with her gift, even cross stitching baby quilts two days before her passing. She loved solving various types of word puzzles. She instilled in her family a love of board and card games of all kinds and the joy of family time, even staying up to the wee hours of the morning on sister weekend. She will be truly missed by all of us.
She is survived by six daughters, Sharon (Sid) Helgesen, Janet (Tim) Olsen, Linda (Mike) McElderry, Annie (Ron) Ockert, Lisa (Rick) Rambo, Kim (Rocky) Hanson, five sons Christopher (Debbie) Smith, David (Randi) Smith, Shawn Smith, Michael (Colleen) Smith, Alan (Shelly) Smith; 34 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren; and three on the way.
She was preceded in death by her husband Wayland, who was called home to the Lord on December 3, 2022, her parents, seven siblings, son Denis, one grandson Chris, and two sons-in-law Rick Rambo and Tim Olsen.
Mass will be held in honor of Wayland and Teresa at 12:00 p.m. on June 22, 2023, at the Cathedral of St. Helena, 530 N. Ewing Street. A reception will follow in the Brondel Center of the Cathedral following the Mass. Interment with military honors will follow the reception at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison.
Prior to Teresa’s passing the family had already planned a celebration of life for Wayland on Saturday, June 24, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Helena (1867 Washington Street). We will still be having that celebration, now for the two of them. We welcome all family and friends to join us on Saturday as well.
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Thursday June 22, 2023
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 North Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the Mass
Thursday June 22, 2023
Brondel Center of the Cathedral
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial
3:00 p.m.
Thursday June 22, 2023
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroes Road
Fort Harrison, Montana 59601
Celebration of Life
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Saturday June 24, 2023
Knights of Columbus
1867 Washington Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Thursday June 22, 2023
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 North Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the Mass
Thursday June 22, 2023
Brondel Center of the Cathedral
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial
3:00 p.m.
Thursday June 22, 2023
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroes Road
Fort Harrison, Montana 59601
Celebration of Life
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Saturday June 24, 2023
Knights of Columbus
1867 Washington Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Share
Lois Steber-Simpson says
To all of the Smith family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom is no doubt very happy to be with your dad again. I will keep all of you in my prayers.
Mary Lou Garrett says
The front pew on the south side of the Cathedral of St. Helena will always remind me of them sitting there
for many years and all the conversations we had every Sunday. Love my clock you dad made me, with an angel on it and all the times I shared with your Mom especially this last fall and winter. WE had some good visits and laughs and
shared our love of romance books.
Ted Polette says
My heart goes out to the family of these two wonderful people. They were always kind and welcoming to me when I would visit with them when I serviced their sprinkler system. I had no idea they had graced this Earth for so many years because they appeared much younger than their age! I will miss them.
Where there is sadness, love plants a garden of memories and may all of yours’ forever bloom.