Connie M. Smith

Atkinson — Connie Mae Smith, 72, of Atkinson, died Saturday, March 25, 2023 at her home surrounded by family.

Visitation will be held from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, April 1, 2023 at Faith Wesleyan Church in Atkinson.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 1, 2023 at the church in Atkinson. R.J. Wolgemuth will officiate.

Honorary pallbearers are Connie's grandchildren Taylor Deseive, Colby Deseive, Grady Smith, Brody Deseive, Lainey Smith and Toby Smith.

Burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Atkinson at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation. 

Seger Funeral Home in Atkinson is in charge of the arrangements.

Connie was born April 1, 1950 in Ainsworth to Robert and Phyllis (Swim) Lewis. They lived on the Lewis family ranch in Springview until they moved to Atkinson in 1956. 

Connie attended Ridgeway (District 180) school, kindergarten thru eighth grade. Her eighth grade class was the first to graduate from the new District 180 school. She attended 9-12th grade at Atkinson High School. Connie's senior class was the first graduating class of West Holt High School in 1968. 

Connie worked on the family farm north of Atkinson throughout her childhood. She could almost always be found outside working with animals or working alongside her dad. 

On Oct. 19, 1968 Connie was united in marriage to Verdon Leroy Smith. They moved to Denver, CO while Verdon attended trade school then moved back to the family farm north of Atkinson in 1969. To this union two children were born Shanon Rae and Bradley Scott. 

Over the years Connie had several occupations. Her first employment was Heerman's Drive-Inn, Anson's Grocery store, First National Bank and Good Samaritan Center along with a few others. 

Connie had a fine eye and true love of antiques, she had the opportunity to own and operate Reflections Antiques in the 90's for approximately nine years until she closed the store to take care of her grandchildren. Connie's most important occupation was being a farm wife and she kept things running smoothly. 

Connie enjoyed the outdoors. She spent her summers working in the hayfield, mowing and raking hay. She always had a garden and could grow tomato plants over six feet tall. She loved to can everything she grew. She also raised chickens and always shared the eggs with family and friends. She also loved fishing and camping. If there were cattle to be worked, she was right there alongside Verdon and the kids. Connie was always the leader for hauling cows to and from pasture in her own pickup and trailer, she always set the pace and it wasn't slow. 

Connie loved her family. She spent much of her time caring for grandkids over the last 26 years. She cherished the time she had with them. She took her grandkids everywhere, there were many adventures with Gram and Papa. Connie enjoyed going to all of her grandkids activities. She could most generally be found sitting on the top row of the bleacher for the best view with her camera in hand. There was no need for the parents to worry about taking pictures because they knew she had her camera out and ready. Connie made many picture books for all six of her grandkids over the years. She loved capturing all of the memories.

Connie is survived by her loving husband of 54 years Verdon Smith; her children Shanon (Chad) Deseive and Bradley (Connie) Smith; six grandchildren Taylor, Colby and Brody Deseive and Grady, Lainey and Toby Smith, all of Atkinson; her mother Phyllis Lewis; one sister Linda (Arlin) Hendricks of Atkinson; one brother in-law Rolin (Rebecca) Smith of Pilger; and one sister in-law Donna (Hugh) Anderson of Bethany, OK. 

She was preceded in death by her father Robert Lewis and in-laws Lawrence and Mina Smith.