Vera Smith

Longtime resident, Vera Viola (Clark) Smith of Seibert passed away on Monday, January 1, 2007 at Grace Manor Care Center in Burlington, Colorado, at the age of 88. Vera was born September 9, 1918 in Bancroft, Nebraska, the second child born to Arthur Bryan and Mary Rose (Johnson) Clark. At the age of eleven months Vera moved with her family to Flagler, Colorado to a sod house near her grandfather Johnson, later they moved into Flagler where she began her school years at the Flagler School. At age seven, she became a member of the First Baptist Church in Flagler. After moving to Seibert she attended and taught Sunday school at the Church of Nazarene. Later in her life she became a Jehovah’s Witness. Vera and William Henry Pelser were united in marriage on June 26, 1936. To this union eleven children were born: Vernon Arthur, William Henry (Billy), Florence Iva, Clarence Everett, Jesse Ernie, Mary Ethel, Veva June, Ernest Virgil, Donald Ray, Donna Mae and Charles Edmund. Vera worked very hard raising her family, as well as, working as a cook, waitress and a motel manager. In the 1960’s Vera owned and operated a creamery in Seibert. On August 31, 1961, Vera and Clarence Smith were married. Clarence passed away December 27, 1996. Vera was a kind, loving mother, grandmother and friend and always enjoyed visits with her family and friends. She liked writing poetry, she enjoyed reading, singing and dancing. She is preceded in death by parents, Arthur and Mary Clark, her husbands, William Pelser and Clarence Smith, her children: Billy, Jesse, Mary, Ernest and Clarence, grandson Benny Noel, Jr., great grandsons Devon Matschke and David Paintin, brothers Vernon and Virgil, sister Viola, sons-in-law Benny Noel and Delmar McGriff. She is survived by her daughters: Florence McGriff and Veva Noel of Seibert, Colorado; Donna Crisp and husband Louis of Flagler, Colorado; sons: Vernon Pelser and wife Doris of Seibert, Colorado; Donald Pelser and wife Cindy of Brownsville, Texas and Charles Pelser of Seibert, Colorado. Vera is also survived by fifteen grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren and six great great grandchildren. Musicians were Mrs. Carla Herman, Dale and Jeanene Mason. Song selections were “Gone Home� and “The Old Rugged Cross� Serving as pallbearer: Mike Mason, Dan Troyer, Larry Matschke, Vernon Pelser, Jr. and Jim Mason. Honorary pallbearers: Jerry Noel, Jeff Fikes and Ernie Pelser. Funeral services for Mrs. Smith were held on Thursday, January 4, 2007 at the Community of Christ Church in Seibert, Colorado with Pastor Tim Schrunk officiating. Burial will follow at the Seibert Cemetery. Memorials may be made in her name to the Hospice of Kit Carson County or to the Seibert Ambulance Fund and may be left at the First National Bank, Seibert, Colorado.