Vernon Smith

Otto Vernon Smith was born on May 21, 1931, in rural Harrison County near Woodbine, Iowa to O. Verne and Cleo (Tupper) Smith. Vernon started his education at a rural school north of Woodbine and in 1937 his parents purchased a farm in Guthrie County. He continued his education in a rural school and graduated from Yale High School in 1950. Vernon then went to Iowa State College in Ames and graduated from there in June of 1954. On June 20, 1954, Vernon married Roberta Middleton. The couple farmed his parents' farm north of Panora for two years. In March of 1957, they purchased land north of Woodbine, Iowa and moved there and continued to farm for forty-two years. The couple moved into Woodbine in 1999.
Vernon was an active member of the First Christian Church of Woodbine, where he taught Sunday school for several years and served as an Elder. He was also a member of the Chrysolite Masonic Lodge 420 A.F. & A.M. in Logan, Iowa. Vernon also served on the Moorhead and Dunlap Co-op Boards. Vernon and Roberta enjoyed square dancing and belonged to the Circle 8 Square Dance Club for many years.
Vernon died Thursday, July 12, 2012, at the Rose Vista Nursing Home in Woodbine, Iowa at the age of 81 years, one month and 21 days.
Vernon was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Roberta Smith of Woodbine, Iowa; three children, Robert Smith and his wife Cheryl, Rodney Smith and his wife Teresa, and Jenny and her husband Gary Hall all of Woodbine, Iowa; six grandchildren, Clinton Smith, Dillon Smith, Joe Smith and his wife Tina, Mary Smith, James Smith and Shelby Hall; three brothers, Kay "Bud" Smith of Bayard, Iowa, Marvin Smith and his wife Judy of Yale, Iowa and Mark Smith and his wife Beth of Iowa City, Iowa; one sister, Celia Lee and her husband Lyle Reynolds of Menlo, Iowa and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral Service
10:30 am Tuesday, July 17, 2012
First Christian Church
Woodbine, Iowa

Clergy
Rev. Mike Brown

Musicians
Robert Smith ~ Karen Ryerson

Selection
"Because He Lives"

Congregational Hymns
"When the Roll is Called Up Yonder"

Pall Bearers
Joe Smith ~ Mary Smith ~ James Smith
Clinton Smith ~ Dillon Smith ~ Shelby Hall

Following the services Vernon has requested that his body be donated to the Nebraska Anatomical Board. Burial will be at a later date at the Woodbine Cemetery.