Obituaries
Loretta M. Smith, 101
July 19, 2018
Loretta M. Smith, 101, of Lititz passed peacefully on July 19, 2018 at Moravian Manor, less than a month short of her 102nd birthday. Born in Buckman, MN, on August 13, 1916, she was the 3rd of 12 children of the late John M. Schmolke and Pauline (Beka) Schmolke.
After graduating from St. Francis High School in Little Falls, MN she went on to attend College of St. Benedict in St Joseph, MN and receive a degree in English and Library Science. She shared her knowledge with others as a high school English teacher and Drama coach in Little Falls, MN, Mandan, ND, and Neah Bay, WA and as a librarian in Hampton, MN and New London, CT.
Loretta met her husband, the late Paul Smith in St Paul, Mn. They married in 1946 at Saint Augustine by the Sea Catholic Church in Honolulu, HI. She and Paul spent the first 3 years of their married life in Honolulu where their two oldest of 8 children were born. Paul’s work took them back to the mainland in 1949. After retiring they would move back to the big island of Hawaii, build a home and spend another 15 years there. After Paul’s passing in 1987, Loretta purchased a home in Lititz.
Loretta enjoyed live theatre, old movies, ice cream, Chinese food, C-SPAN, reading, writing, swimming and making snow angels. She even spent 2 hours kayaking at Speedwell shortly after her 100th birthday. Loretta was known for her water color paintings and would hand make unique cards for family members and friends for special occasions. Loretta was an international traveler and ventured to various countries in Asia and Europe up to the age of 94. Loretta loved sending and receiving cards and letters, most recently she enjoyed staying connected to her family by Face Time on her iPad. She was a devout Catholic and active member at St. James Catholic Church in Lititz, where she was a part of the Silver Liners and participated in the annual White Elephant Sale.
She will be dearly missed by her children; Loretta LaBree (Bernie), Paul Smith (Lynn), Trudy Peters (Don), John Smith (Becky), Anna Webster (Jim), Helen Cookey (Niels), Ceil Wells (Rob), and Calvin Koerner. She will also be survived by her siblings; Sr. Margaret Schmolke OSF, Helen Schmolke RN, Pat Schmolke RN, Carol Larson, Tom Schmolke and Francis Schmolke USN. Surviving as well are 17 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren as well as many, dear nieces, nephews and friends.
She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Paul Smith, her parents, John and Pauline Schmolke, her youngest daughter, Toni Koerner, and 5 of her siblings, Fr. Joel Schmolke OFM, Sr. Thomasine Schmolke OSF, Lt. Cecelia Schmolke RN USA, Cely Schmolke USMC, and Jerry Schmolke USA.
A Viewing will be held Wednesday July 25, 2018 from 7:00PM to 9:00PM at Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory at 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543. Guests are welcome to join the family in a Rosary Service prior to the viewing at 6:40PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, July 26, 2018 at 11:00AM at St. James Catholic Church located at 505 Woodcrest Ave, Lititz, PA 17543. Prior to Mass, guests will be received from 10:00AM to 11:00AM. Memorial donations in Loretta’s memory can be made to the Moravian Manor Benevolent Fund at 300 W Lemon St. Lititz, PA 17543 or online at https://www.moravianmanor.org/donate/.
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Condolences to the Family
July 26, 2018
Loretta,on behalf of my wife and I and David Prins and his wife, I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to you and your family on your mom’s passing.
Tony DeMichele
Bakers’ Blend,Inc.
July 23, 2018
Dear Friends; On behalf of my Mom, Josephine Jacobs, we offer our deepest sympathy. My Mom/Jo was your dear Loretta’s roommate at Moravian Manor. Loretta brought such Joy, laughter & hope to my Momma and many others! Loretta was an Amazing woman! Her Faith and inner strength have inspired so many of us! Some of my Mom’s fondest memories are: her and Loretta watching endless hours of Tennis on TV! Sharing candy, cookies, flowers & coffee! And eating meals and laughing together every day! My Mom was especially touched by how often Loretta’s family & friends visited and everyone would Always include my Mom in their conversations and gifts!
Words cannot adequately express how much we miss Loretta already and how empty my Mom’s room & heart feels without Loretta being there. We share your grief and also Celebrate with you the Eternal Life of your precious Loretta. May Our God bring you Comfort & Peace. And may Jesus embrace each one of you in His Arms of Love.
On a Personal Note: I cannot thank all of you enough for sharing your time & gifts with my Momma each time you came to visit Loretta. The friendship between Loretta and my Mom will live on in their hearts forever! I’d like to also share with you my Mom’s final words as they removed Loretta’s body from their room: “well dear friend, goodbye for now. I’ll see ya’ soon, so you’d better save me some candy.”
With Heartfelt Sympathy, Diane Jacobs (Daughter of Josephine Jacobs).
- Visitation
- Wednesday, July 25, 2018
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
- 3110 Lititz Pike
- Lititz, PA 17543
- Map and Directions
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Get Maps and Directions > - Visitation
- Thursday, July 26, 2018
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- St. James Catholic Church
- 505 Woodcrest Ave
- Lititz, PA
- Map and Directions
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Get Maps and Directions > - Services
- Thursday, July 26, 2018
- 11:00 AM
- St. James Catholic Church
- 505 Woodcrest Ave
- Lititz, PA
- Map and Directions
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Get Maps and Directions >