Catherine E. Smith, 85, of Hemingford, passed away Thursday night October 2, 2014 at the Highland Park Care Center in Alliance.
Catherine was born December 18, 1928 in Alliance, NE to Michael and Frances (Nepper) Sherlock. She graduated high school from the St. Agnes Academy in Alliance. Her entire life was spent in Box Butte County.
On May 1, 1951 she was united in marriage to Merle (Nip) E. Smith. Together they raised and enjoyed their 5 children Robert, William, Sandra, Sue and Shirley. Many fun hours of cards were played with these children, their 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Catherine worked for Carmen Knaub and then the Hemingford Cooperative Telephone Company for many years. She was a member of the St. Bridget Catholic Church. During her earlier years she enjoyed camping and fishing with friends and family and their trips to Vegas. Throughout her life she always loved playing Yahtzee and a game of cards with her card club and family. She started a tradition of Mexican food on Christmas Eve that she has taught and passed down for generations to follow and to enjoy. She made many strong relationships and thoroughly enjoyed her travels on the bus to Prairie Winds and her last year of life at the wonderful Highland Park Care Center.
She is survived by her sons Robert (Lynette) Smith of Brookings, SD and William (Deb) Smith of Alliance, NE; her daughters Sandra (Brad) Haas of Hemingford, NE, Sue (Mike) Carson and Shirley Donahue of Las Vegas, NV; her sister-in-laws Dee Smith and Vera Sherlock of Alliance, NE as well as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Catherine was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Nip and her brother Michael Sherlock.
Memorial services will be held Thursday, October 9 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Bridget Catholic Church in Hemingford, NE. Father John Kakkuzhiyil will officiate with inurnment at the Hemingford Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to the Hemingford Volunteer Firefighters Association or Highland Park Care Center.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com with Bates-Gould Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.