Obituary of Nellie Marie Hansen Smith

Nellie Marie Hansen Smith Nellie Marie Smith, age 87, went to be with our Lord on Friday, November 18, 2005. She was born to Nels and Karlotte Marie Beskeland Hansen on April 22, 1918 at Beskeland Farm, near Roan, Norway, immigrating to America with her family in 1924. They settled in Salem, Oregon, where Nellie resided until moving to Columbia Ridge Assisted Living two years ago, and her final months at Highland Terrace Nursing Center. Nellie was preceded in death by her son James Stephan ("Jimmy") and her sisters Karla Kvamme, Gertrude Jones, and Selma Nickila; and brothers Oscar Brevik, Wilhelm Hansen, and Ingvard Hansen. Survivors include her children and spouses Particia Marie and Richard Edmundson of Camas; Douglas and Mehran Smith, Beaverton, OR; Edward and Renee Smith, Falls City, OR; Robert Smith, Independence, OR; and Paul and Lisa Smith, Salem, OR. Nellie's Grandchildren are Julie-Anne Marie Mueller and Erik Edmundson, Shahriyar and Shahrzad Tiffani Smith, Jacob and Aaron Smith, Andrew Smith, and Justin Gamboa. She is Grandma-Great to Alysha Marie and Austin Mueller, and Austin and Logan Gamboa. Surviving sisters are Marna Swinson, Central Point, OR, Harda Spires of Waukegan, IL, and Anna Sullivan, Ellensburg, WA. Nellie is known as "Aunt Pat" by many much-loved nieces and nephews in America and Norway. Nellie graduated from Salem High School in 1936. She married Douglas R. Smith in 1940. After WWII they purchased a 40 acre farm south of Salem, Oregon. Employment included cannery work, restaurant hostess in San Francisco, clerk for the Motor Vehicle Department at the Capitol Building in Salem, and 22 years in the cannery, retiring at age 79. She was a member of South Salem Church of the Nazarene, the Sons of Norway, and Teamster Local Union 670. Nellie touched the lives of many with genuine caring love. She is known for her faith, courage, and independent spirit. A Remembrance Gathering will be held on Saturday, November 26, 2005 at 2:00 pm at Brown's Funeral Home in Camas. It will be followed by food and fellowship at Zion Lutheran Church. All who knew Nellie are welcome. Memorial donations can be made to the Angel Fund at Highland Terrace Nursing Center. Brown's Funeral Home in Camas has been entrusted with arrangements.