Smith, Bernadette V.

Bernadette V. Smith, 94, of the Good Neighbor Home, Manchester, formerly of Dyersville, was promoted from this life on Earth to enter into the kingdom of Our Heavenly Father on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009, at the Regional Medical Center, Manchester. Services for Bernadette will be held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier, Dyersville, with the Rev. Robert Gross officiating. Burial will be held in St. Paul's Cemetery, Worthington. Friends and relatives of Bernadette may call from 2 to 8 p.m. today at the Reiff Funeral Home, Dyersville, where a wake service will be held at 7:30 p.m.

She is survived by eight children, Janaan (Walter) Kraus of Monticello, Kay (Elmer) Heitz of Farley, Kenny (Cathy) Smith of Hopkinton, Gary (Marilyn) Smith of Manchester, Betty (Jerry) Ries of Earlville, John (Mary) Smith of Ryan, Mary Ellen (Jim) Waite of Cedar Rapids, and Mark (Mary) Smith of Marion; two sons-in-law, Dick Riniker of Farley, and Kenny Zangerle of Hopkinton; 47 grandchildren; 77 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and one sister, Millie Hunter of Waverly, Minn.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Clarence P. Smith in 1968; two daughters, Maxine Zangerle and Shirley Riniker; three sisters, Margaret Besler, Mary Nolan and Gertrude Esterling; and one brother, Justin McElmeel.

Bernadette was born Feb. 8, 1915, in Delhi, Iowa, daughter of Ed and Nellie (Goldsmith) McElmeel. She received her education in the Ryan and Delhi area schools. At the age of 54, she attended Iowa State University in Ames, where she received a degree as a dietitian. On Feb. 12, 1936, she was united in marriage to Clarence P. Smith at St. John's Catholic Church in Delhi. The couple traveled by bobsled to their wedding dance in Worthington.

She was employed at Oak Crest Manor and later at Dyersville Hospital as a dietitian, until her retirement in 1977.

She was a member of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Dyersville, a member of the Basilica Resurrection choir, the Basilica Bible Study Group, the Three Musketeers and the neighborhood card club.

Bernadette was a great mother and wife because her family was the world to her. She was a tolerant, kind, loving, principled and ethical person. She cared deeply for those around her and was loved by her friends almost as much as she was by her family. Listed among her accomplishments: Receiving her driver's license and learning to drive at the age of 52, and wearing out 25 pairs of high-heeled dancing shoes. Bernadette's favorite times were the annual Christmas parties her daughter Betty Ries put on and the neighborhood Forkenbrock Christmas party.

A Bernadette V. Smith memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left for the family at