Verla M. Smith

Verla Mae (Hilpipre) Smith, 89, of Clarion passed away Friday, September 12, 2008 at Wright Medical Center in Clarion.

A memorial service for Verla Smith will be held Monday, September 22, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at the United church of Christ Congregational in Clarion with Rev. Geoffrey White officiating.  Inurnment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion. 

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the memorial service at the church. 

Verla was born on July 3, 1919, in Wright County, Iowa to Paul and Fannie (Loux) Hilpipre.  She graduated from Clarion High School in 1938 and worked as a personal assistant and companion.

On March 12, 1941, she married John G. Woodard.  They had one daughter, Janeen.  John was killed in action on April 14, 1945, in Germany.  Verla married Gary Snitselaar on April 22, 1947.  They farmed south of Clarion until his death on March 1, 1962.

Verla moved to Clarion and worked at the Fashionette and Tomke’s until she married Don Smith on June 21, 1976.  Don passed away on March 9, 1991.

Verla was a long time member of the United Church of Christ Congregational.  She enjoyed reading and knitting.

Verla is survived by her daughter, Janeen (Hans) Sitte, three grandchildren, Michael, Tara (Chad) Koehn, Brandon and one great-grandson, Hunter, all of San Jose, California; her stepson Ron (Janean) Kelling, two step-granddaughters; three step-great grandchildren, all of Roseville, California; her brother-in-law Robert (Margaret) Woodard of Albert Lea, Minnesota; sister-in-law Doris (Marvin) Hilpipre of Clarion along with many nieces and nephews.

Verla was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, a stepson, Jack Smith and her brother, Marvin.