Lula Marie Smith

March 05, 1921 - March 17, 2015

Lula Marie Smith Obituary (Age 94) On March 5, 1921, on a cold (-30) night in McCreary Manitoba, Lula Smith was born. Her parents were homesteaders living in a one room log cabin. She was born with a sunny disposition and a strong will. When her parents gave up homesteading, they moved to Northern Illinois where she spent most of her life. She was living in Pingree Grove, IL on March 18, 1925, when the worst tornado on record roared through. She had vivid memories of it and would head into the basement when the wind came up. Her family had grown to 9 by the start of the depression, money was tight so she went to work at 14 and saved enough money to put herself through nursing school. When she graduated, she met Earl R. Farmer (Rockford, IL) and fell madly in love. However, in those days, a woman couldn�t be a nurse and be married so she gave up her nursing career. She had two children, Richard Farmer, San Francisco, and, Francia Stanton, Spokane, WA and worked for many years at the Rockford, IL Register Republic. Earl died of cancer in 1964 when she was just 43 years old. Through her work at the newspaper, she met another widower, Morton Corbin. They were married only a year when he passed away suddenly. He owned a tire shop which she ran for several years before she met Earnest Smith. Again, she was blessed with love including four step children, Randy Smith, Denver, CO, Sheri Collins, Durango, CO, Ernest Smith II, Denver, CO and Jana Robinson, Northeast Harbor, MN which she loved like her own. She was married to Ernie for 32 years. When Ernie died of congestive heart failure, she decided she had enough of harsh winters and moved to California to live with her daughter, Francia Stanton. She followed Francia to West Point, CA, Modesto, CA and finally to Spokane, WA to be with the rest of the family. She loved: People, Cambozola cheese, fireworks, presents, brownies, yard sales, chocolate mousse, her family, Dungeness crab, Dennys senior omelets, windmills, and driving around looking at houses. On TV, she never tired of House Hunters and Alaska, The Last Frontier. Her life was filled with positive energy, cheerfulness, and optimism. She was a member of New Hope Church in Spokane and got great joy from their camaraderie. She passed away at home of COPD on March 17, 2015 at the age of 94 leaving great sadness but joy in a life well spent. There will be a service to celebrate her life in the spring. � To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Lula, please visit our Tree Store. Read more Events MAR 17