Mary "Ellen" (Engstrom) Smith

Mary “Ellen” Smith, age 96 of Grand Haven, passed away on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at Lakeshore Assisted Living. She was born on July 10, 1925 in DeKalb, IL to the late Carl and Anna (Erikson) Engstrom. Ellen married Robert Smith in February of 1942 in Coldwater, MI. He preceded her in death on November 9, 1981, after 39 years of marriage.

Ellen was raised on a dairy farm where her and her family raised cows and sheep. During WWII, she worked in a Civil Defense manufacturing factory, and later, worked as a cook in several restaurants. She was a member of Frontier United Methodist Church in Hillsdale, MI, where she cleaned and worked in the kitchen; baking pies and cakes for luncheons, and bringing in flowers.

 Ellen enjoyed gardening and canning fruits and vegetables she grew in her garden. She loved cooking for her family, and always made everyone’s favorites. Ellen also was really good at sewing, often sewing up the children’s clothes when needed. She especially loved taking care of her grandchildren, and she looked forward to them coming down and staying with her for weeks at a time. Ellen was always happy to see her family and would always thank them for coming to visit.

Ellen is lovingly remembered and missed by her daughter, Alice (Darl) Wilson of Grand Haven, MI; her beloved grandchildren: Teresa (Donnie) Boyer, Rodney (Renee) Wilson, Christopher (Rhiannon) Wilson; and her great-grandchildren: Kara (Jake)Boyer-Trombley, and Morgan Boyer, Taylor (Noah) Wilson-Stratton, Camden, Audrey, Nicholas, Paige, Ella, and Clara Wilson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; and her daughter, Mary Anna Smith on March 13, 1959.

The Memorial Service for Ellen will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 17, 2021 at Klaassen Family Funeral Home with Rev. Eldon Eldred officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 26, 2021 at Floral Grove Cemetery in Pioneer, Ohio.

Memorial contributions may be made to Frontier United Methodist Church or Hospice of North Ottawa Community.

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