Caroline Smith (Bitz), 94

Caroline Smith (Bitz) was born in Burnstad, N.D., on June 21, 1929. She was raised on a farm by her grandparents, Helen and Joseph Bitz.

After graduating in 1947, she moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where she met and married Stanley G. Smith, the love of her life.

Caroline derived great pleasure from her careers at Woolworths and Buttreys. She sadly retired from Buttreys when the store closed. Caroline maintained lifelong friendships with her work family. She assisted her husband, Bud, run the family business, Mile Texaco Station.

Caroline’s favorite pastime was cooking. She was happiest when entertaining family and friends. Holidays were always happy events that included copious amounts of delicious food. The coffee pot was always on and ready for company until the day she died. 

Caroline and Bud enjoyed remodeling homes as well as building four new homes from the ground up. They worked by day and built houses by evening.

She stayed in touch with her sisters and North Dakota family, never forgetting her roots. Her immediate family stayed close even when they lived many miles apart. She was an active and devoted member of St. Pius X Catholic Church. She continued to faithfully attend services at Orchard Ridge Senior Living home when she could no longer attend in person.

Caroline is survived by her son, Joseph Smith, and his wife, Sue; grandchildren Brian and Jamie; and sisters Barbara, Rose and Elizabeth. She was fortunate to have numerous relatives close and far who stayed in loving contact. 

A memorial mass will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 625 E. Haycraft Ave., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83815.

Please visit Caroline’s online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.