Wilma L. Smith

Wilma L. Smith, age 98 of Cadillac, formerly of Lake City passed away peacefully in her sleep Saturday, May 18, 2019 at the Quiet Creek Assisted Living Home in Falmouth.

Wilma was born December 29, 1920 in Bagley, Minnesota to Peter and Ruth Norby and was the oldest of twelve children. She graduated from Bagley High School in 1938 and married Norman Nelson in 1939 and they raised five children: Eileen, Diane, Alan, Edie and Pam.  Wilma worked for the Navy in Nebraska during World War II. After the war,  the family moved to Michigan and she was employed by the Army in Detroit.  She later became a school secretary for several years.  Later in life, in 1974, she married Jim Smith and they moved to Lake City in 1977.  Together they had many grand adventures traveling the world.  Jim preceded her in death in 1983.  Wilma was past president of the Lake City Women’s Club and a member of the Garden Club and Extension Club.  Wilma loved reading about history, growing beautiful flower gardens and sewing wonderfully treasured dolls and quilts.  She was a member of the Lake City Evangelical Presbyterian Church and will be remembered as a very strong woman with a passionate love for her Lord and a fierce love for her family.

Wilma leaves behind her five children: Eileen (Bill) VanderVlucht, Diane (George) Elwell, Alan Nelson, Edie (Mike) Caldwell and Pam (Don) Paganini, many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.  She is also survived by two brothers: Darrell (Pat), Winston (Karen) and a sister Dorothy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a son in law, Brad Hinton, six brothers, two sisters and a grandson Todd Nelson.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at the Young-Holdship Funeral Home in Lake City with Pastor Don VanDyke officiating.  A time of visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. until services begin. Burial will take place in the Lake City Cemetery.  Wilma requested memorial contributions be directed to World Vision.

Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.Young-Holdship.com

The family is being served by the Young-Holdship Funeral Home in Lake City.

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