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Collene E. Smith-Schmitt, 87

Collene Elizabeth Smith-Schmitt, “Granny,” 87, joined her greatly missed family and friends in Heaven on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, in Hayden, Idaho, surrounded by her family. She was born in Nowata, Okla., on Aug. 10, 1931. She was the youngest of seven children of James Harmon Dildine and Rose Etta Inman Dildine.

Collene married Allen E. Smith on April 6, 1950, in Arkansas at the age of 19. They were happily married for 30 years until Allen’s passing in 1980. They had three strong boys: Michael, Rodney, and Randall, whose marriages then brought her three “daughters,” Debbie, Vickie and Renay. She remained close to her sons and “daughters” until her passing. In 1985, she married Donald Schmitt who passed in 2011. She was blessed with 41 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom she knew, loved and cherished deeply.

Although she was the last of her immediate family to pass, she and Allen would build a legacy to follow long after. Her boys were everything to her. She hung on to life as long as she could to care for and be with her family. Her life mission was to give of herself to her boys and their growing families. She never missed a gathering to support her family. In fact, she would give them a whole lot of sass if they didn’t gather often enough for her to snuggle and kiss all of her ‘babies.’

She was a devoted Christian and woke to read her Bible every morning before her feet hit the floor. Granny was a beloved wife, mother and friend to so many because, perhaps above all, she shared a Christ-like love with those around her. She was a pillar of encouragement whenever she was needed, and most of all devoted her entire life to making sure her family knew how deeply they were loved. Her greatest joy was being with her family. Granny also loved flower gardening, ceramics, fishing and traveling. She often took trips throughout her lifetime to enjoy these pleasures.

She will be greatly missed because she always brought joy and smiles to everyone. She was a little ornery and quite stubborn but was always, ALWAYS, the best-dressed in the room. She was very strong mentally and physically and was proud to be a “tough Okie farm girl.” She had a witty personality and could recall and tell stories of raising her boys, family, family history and events or memories near and far.

Although she has departed this life from those who knew and loved her physically, she will always remain in our hearts and memories forever.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2019, at Pilot Butte Cemetery, 1250 NE Bear Creek Road, Bend, OR 97701. Flowers may be sent to Pilot Butte Cemetery or in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Collene’s name to Grace Bible Church, 152 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Collene’s online memorial at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com and sign her online guest book.