Eileen M. Smith

Eileen M. Smith, 89 of Kearney formerly of Elm Creek passed away Saturday, December 30, 2023 at Mt. Carmel Home in Kearney. A funeral mass will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 5, 2024 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Elm Creek. Interment will follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery. Visitation will be 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the church with a vigil/prayer service starting at 7:00 p.m.. Memorials are suggested to the church. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services. Eileen was born April 6, 1934 to Edward John and Ida Anna (Plischke) Buettner at her grandfather Frank Buettner’s farm south of Elm Creek. She received her education in Elm Creek and earned her GED at Kearney State College. Eileen was united in marriage to Ronald E. Smith on June 25, 1955 in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Elm Creek. Eileen worked various jobs throughout the years; McKee Farm Equipment, Elm Creek Theatre, Ethels’ Café, Orchard & Wilhelm in Omaha where Ron and Eileen lived for two years. She sold Avon for five years, worked at the Buffalo County Highway Department and Weed District retiring from there after 22 years. She was also Administrative Assistant at Immaculate Conception, Holy Rosary and St. John’s Churches for 14 years. Eileen served as church organist for many years. Eileen enjoyed collecting old sheet music, Barbies, dolls, angels and books and also attending children and grandchildren’s events and family gatherings. Children: Barbara McClure, Kellogg, IA; Martin (Denise) Smith, Lexington, NE; Lynda Burman, Sumner, NE; Virginia (David) Klingelhoefer, Amherst, NE; Susan (Janelle) Priest, Lincoln, NE; Alan (Tonya) Smith, Eddyville, NE; Jacquelyn (Jodi) Smith, Lincoln, NE; Laura (Ben) Martin, Elm Creek, NE; 21 grandchildren; 43 great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Carol (Doug) Dolge of Dousman, WI, Dick (Sandy) Smith of Gothenburg, Tom (Jean) Smith of Waukesha, WI; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Eileen was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ronald Smith of 67 years; brother Melvin Buettner; sister-in-law Lavonne (Northrup) Buettner; children, Marcia Hergenrader, Gloria Smith, Constance Smith, Rhonda Maas; sons-in-law, Jeff Maas, Gary Burman, Mike Blythe and two great grandchildren.

Eileen M. Smith

April 6, 1934 - December 30, 2023