Hester Smith, longtime resident of Lusk, Wyo., died Monday, Nov. 2, 2015, at Memorial Hospital of Converse County in Douglas, Wyo. She was 107 years young and the matriarch of the Smith family, who dearly loved her.
The daughter of Lela and Harry Brey, Hester Violet Brey was born April 13, 1908, in Wilton. She was the oldest of eight children. She grew up in Ontario and graduated from high school there in 1930. That same year, she married William “Bill” H. Smith. In 1931, they welcomed their first and only child, William “Billy” H. Smith, Jr. Unhappy with the poor economic condition of Wisconsin in 1939, Bill left to find work in Edgemont, S.D.; Hester and Billy joined him in 1940. There, Hester became an accomplished horseback rider. Later, the family moved to several Wyoming towns before settling in Lusk. After working on several ranches, the family moved into town in 1945 and built the Smith Apartments, on the corner of Main and Fifth, which later became Smith’s Motor Lodge. They sold the establishment in 1962. Shortly afterward, Bill was diagnosed with cancer and died in 1963. Hester continued with life and built the Branding Iron Gift Shop on Main Street, which she owned until 1970.
Although no longer a businesswoman, Hester kept busy with her three grandsons, Brett, Dave and Bruce, whom she adored. She also enjoyed knitting, painting, and baking. For years, she baked cookies and made candy for the townspeople of Lusk during the holiday season.
Hester was a believer in Christ, having been baptized as a child, and was a longtime member of St Paul’s Lutheran Church.
The joy of her life was her family. In her lifetime, she was blessed with a son, three grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. She loved knitting booties for new babies born in the family, and there are some already made for great-great-grandchildren not yet born. She took great joy in being with family and participated in every event, including births, graduations, weddings, showers and birthdays. Her age never kept her from anything in celebration of her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Sr.; her son, Bill Jr.; her grandson, Brett Smith; her great-grandson, Sean Smith; and six siblings.
She is survived by her honorary daughter, Kay Smith, who provided loving care during Hester’s aging years. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Bonnie Smith, and her family; her grandsons, Dave and wife Julie and Bruce and wife Pam; a granddaughter-in-law, Eliana; her great-grandchildren, Adam and wife Brandee, Alyssa and husband Dustin, Megan and husband Miguel, Tori and husband Jeremiah, Landon and Rivkah; and her great-great-grandchildren, McKenna, Isabella, Jackson and Everly. She is also survived by her brother, Roger, and his wife, Carol, and numerous nieces and nephews, who were a blessing in her life, as were special friends Jude Redfield and Carol and Gene Kupke of Lusk.
When Hester turned 105, she was asked if there was some tidbit of wisdom she would share with her family. Her answer was, “Life is short.” Hester’s short life was 107 years, six months and 21 days long. Her long life in heaven has just begun.
Funeral services will be Saturday, Nov. 7, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Lusk, with burial in the Lusk Cemetery. Memorials to either St. Paul’s or the Niobrara Senior Center are suggested by the family.
Pier Funeral Home assisted the family.
