Elaine 'Lynn' Smith, 91
Elaine “Lynn” Smith passed away Feb. 28, 2021, at age 91. She was born Elaine Marie Lindgren in Taylor Falls, Wis., on April 3, 1929, to parents Alma and Simon Lindgren and big brother, Myron. She has been known as Lynn since she was in high school in Centuria, Wis.
After graduation she attended nursing school in Minneapolis. In 1949, she left home and headed for California with a friend and a Psychiatric Nursing Certificate. They found work at a prestigious mental hospital in San Francisco, which she said changed the course of her life.
She met William “Bill” Smith, a Merchant Marine sailor, and they married in Reno, Nev., on Jan. 27, 1951. They moved to Seattle and began raising a family. Four children born over the next six years kept her very busy. With Bill away working on ships much of the time, she established family traditions like coloring Easter eggs, carving pumpkins and baking Christmas cookies. She enjoyed hosting holiday dinners, gardening and activities with the kids.
In 1963 the family moved to Portland, Ore., after Bill became patrolman for the Sailors Union of the Pacific. With the kids in school, she got a real estate license and sold homes for a few years.
In 1975, Bill’s job took the family to Honolulu, Hawaii, with daughters, Karen and Karla. Her sons Bill and Bruce were already sailing on ships like their father had. She took up oil painting and they traveled a bit. They enjoyed 13 years in the Hawaiian sun before moving back to Seattle.
In 1999, Lynn and Bill moved to Coeur d’Alene; their children and families followed. Many afternoons were spent socializing and enjoying friends at the “Time Out” and other local taverns. Bill passed away in 2009 and she was able to live independently with help from Karla. She worked hard to rehab out of the Renaissance at Coeur d’Alene and Life Care Center to live at home. Lynn kept her good humor and was mentally sharp, still enjoying conversation and an afternoon drink with Sue Brooks, friends and family.
In loving memory she is survived by her son, Bill Smith and wife, Lori, and their children, Willow and Jean; son, Bruce Smith and wife, Lydia; daughter, Karen Smith and husband, Rick Thompson; daughter, Karla Ngawaka and son, Nigel Ngawaka.
Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements. Please visit Lynn’s online memorial and sign her guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com
