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Marcene M. Smith

August 16, 1928 — January 9, 2025

Humboldt

Marcene M. Smith

Marcene Marie Smith, age 96, passed away peacefully on January 9, 2025, at Rotary Senior Living in Eagle Grove, Iowa. Marcene was born on August 16, 1928, to Mabel (Manny) and Fred Becker in the Boone County Hospital. She attended Page Public School. As an only child, Marcene spent a lot of time drawing and developing artistic talents. She loved to sing and took piano lessons for 9 years. In high school, Marcene enjoyed studying art and was part of all vocal music groups.

In the fall of 1946, Marcene attended Simpson College in Indianola as a freshman music major. As a piano student, she was assigned to accompany Loren Miner. Their friendship blossomed, and in November of 1947, Loren proposed. They were married in August 1948 in the Boone Methodist Church. Together they raised two children, Stephanie and Wayne, until Loren’s death in 1962 from Hodgkin’s Disease

Following Loren’s death, Marcene started college at Fort Dodge Area Junior College, eventually transferring to Simpson College in Indianola to major in elementary education. Marcene graduated with her degree in 1965 and moved her family to Humboldt, Iowa. There she began teaching 4th grade at Dakota City Elementary School; and it was there that she met Eugene (Gene) Smith.

Marcene and Gene were married in June 1967, in the Royal Prayer Room of the Humboldt Methodist Church. Their daughter, Michelle, was born in December 1968. Marcene gave up teaching to be with Michelle; but in the next years, she took an active part in many community and church groups, including serving as chair of the library and United Methodist Church building/renovation committees. She also found time for painting classes, singing, substitute teaching, mothering, homemaking, and grand mothering. She also taught at St. Mary’s School for three years. In their retirement years, Marcene and Gene enjoyed winters in sunny Tucson, Arizona, where Marcene enjoyed hiking, performing, and building wonderful friendships until Gene’s death in 2015. Marcene lived a full life of family, music, and faith.

Marcene is survived by her children: Stephanie Haynes, Wayne (Mary) Miner, Michelle (Keith) Keller; eight grandchildren: Celeste (John) Schenone, Tammy (Mark) Thompson, Dianna Haynes, Kristen Welch, Brett (Beth) Miner, Elizabeth (Jess) O’Cuinneagain, Matthew Keller, Rebecca Keller, Joseph Keller; eleven great-grandchildren: Ashley (Gordy) Hall, Trevor (Katie) Schenone, Trent (Lizzy) Schenone, Bryanna Thompson, Ross (Betsy) Thompson, Ryan Haynes, Reagan Haynes, Logan (Jaden) Welch, Gage Welch, Wayne Miner, Carrie Miner; and five great-great grandchildren: Bristol, Becker, Kentyn, Lydia, Hallie. Marcene was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Mabel Becker, her husband Loren Miner, her husband Eugene (Gene) Smith, her son-in-law Kent Haynes, and her grandson Joel Haynes.

Memorial Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 15th at Faith United Methodist Church in Humboldt. Visitation will be after 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church. Entombment will be in North Lawn Cemetery, Fort Dodge. The Mason-Lindhart Funeral & Cremation Service of Humboldt is in charge of the arrangements. www.masonlindhart.com

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Past Services

Visitation

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

12:30 - 1:30 pm (Central time)

Faith United Methodist Church

107 N 4th St, Humboldt, IA 50548

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Memorial Service

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Starts at 1:30 pm (Central time)

Faith United Methodist Church

107 N 4th St, Humboldt, IA 50548

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Interment

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Northlawn Cemetery

, Fort Dodge, IA 50501

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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