Smith
Lydia Olga Smith was born Nov. 4, 1927 in Southey, Sask., the third child of five to Gottlieb and Olga Zehner. She worked during the summers of Grades 11 and 12 for a family in Regina and graduated from Southey High School in the 1940’s.
Upon completing Grade 12, she spent two summers at Moose Jaw Normal School and the last summer at Saskatoon Normal School for teacher training.
Lydia then began her teaching career in Saskatchewan, working in several towns including Renown, Holdfast, Wynyard and Weyburn, followed by teaching positions in Port Alberni and McBride, BC.
Lydia later moved to High Prairie, Alta. where she met John Buchanan Smith, whom she married in Edmonton on April 17, 1952. They then moved to Tomahawk, Alta. where John taught for a year. After that, they settled in Veteran, Alta. and on their farm north of Veteran.
Following a house fire on the farm, the family moved to Castor, Alta. where their seven children were raised.
Lydia was a long-time resident of Castor, remaining there until her passing on April 19, 2021 at the age of 93 years.
Lydia was a woman of strong faith and regularly attended St. John Lutheran Church in Castor until it closed.
Afterwards, she attended the Missionary Church where she loved the friends she made and the music they shared.
Lydia was predeceased by her parents Gottlieb and Olga Zehner, sisters Dorothy Ertman and Martha Nielsen, brother Chris Zehner, husband John Smith, and son John Frederick Smith.
She is survived by her sister Ella Pedersen, daughters Mary (George) Tremper, Martha (Warren) Mitchell, Susan (Dorian) Sylvestre, Linda Smith, sons Ken (Zuzana) Smith and Tim (Tammy) Smith, grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on Mon. April 26, 2021 at 2 p.m. in Parkview Funeral Chapels, Castor, Alta. followed by the interment in the Castor Municipal Cemetery where Lydia was laid to rest beside her husband John.
Memorial contributions may be made in Lydia’s memory to the Paintearth Lodge, the Alberta Heart & Stroke Foundation or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.parkviewfuneralchapels.com.
Parkview Funeral Chapels of Castor were entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements. For further information please contact 403-882-3141.
Card of Thanks
Special thanks to all the staff at Paintearth Lodge for all the care they provided Lydia, and the doctors and nurses at Our Lady of the Rosary Hospital for their expertise and compassion.
