Obituary of Geraldine Smith

Geraldine Margret (Gangwish) Smith, 87, of Flagler, CO went home to be with her Lord and Savior on December 31, 2009 at the Lincoln Community Nursing Home in Hugo, CO. Geraldine was born to Harrison and Augusta Gangwish on October 17, 1922 in Roseland, NE. Her dad gave her the name Geraldine and always called her by it. It wasn’t until high school that she received the nickname Jerry. When she was one year old, her family moved to a farm house 9 miles northeast of Arriba, CO. She became a big sister to Lois in 1924, Wayne in 1926, and Delbert (stillborn) in 1928. Geraldine was baptized as a young girl in the one room First Christian Church in Arriba, CO. Geraldine and her sister Lois helped milk cows but could never figure out why their little brother Wayne always got out of it. They retaliated by locking him in the broom closet on a regular basis. Family square dances were often held in their basement. She grew up dancing. Geraldine graduated from Arriba High School in 1940 and then attended Blair Business School in Colorado Springs. She was always very proud of her shorthand talent and the fact that she worked at Fort Carson and Federal Land Bank. When Lois’ husband was deployed during World War II, Geraldine moved to Denver to live with her sister and later moved back to Arriba once he returned home. Upon arriving back in Arriba, she found her brother working with an old high school friend, Leonard Olen Smith. Geraldine loved to talk about Leonard’s “infectious” laugh and what a wonderful dancer he was on and off roller skates. They began dating and the rest was history. Leonard and Geraldine were married on September 17, 1944 at her Uncle Paul and Aunt Cecil Ruhter’s house north of Arriba, CO. Leonard and Jerry made their home south of Flagler on his family’s ranch. Their first house was a four-room grainery that Leonard moved 2 miles from its original location. Initially, they planned to move the grainery to the hilltop, but a well-timed rain storm and the running river convinced them to re-evaluate and leave it in its present location. They lived there until 1993. Leonard and Jerry were blessed with two children, Robbie Leonard and Renee Louise. It was very important to Jerry that her children learned to play the piano. Every morning she would sit down with Robbie and Renee and help them practice their lessons while Leonard cooked breakfast Jerry shared her husband’s love of the mountains and a good fishing hole. They bought a boat, strapped it to the top of their car, and off they’d go. Eventually, they upgraded the boat and water skiing became another favorite pastime. Each summer included time to go on camping and fishing trips. The family spent time at Lake Powell, Yellowstone National Park, Idaho, Lake Pepin Minnesota, Bonny dam, Two Buttes, Alaska, and even some of the water holes at the ranch. When she was wasn’t fishing, camping, or overseeing her kids’ piano lessons, Jerry loved gardening, working on her flower beds, playing cards, and oil painting. Many evenings, especially around the holidays, were spent in lively card games with friends and family. Geraldine was a member of the Flagler Baptist Church where she served on numerous committees. She was the 100th president of the Colorado Rebekah Assembly, and a member of Colorado Women’s Club as well as the local Sew & Such club. Geraldine loved to tell anyone who would listen what wonderful children and grandchildren she had. She was their greatest champion and always believed in them and encouraged their dreams. When her grandkids would leave for school, she would always say “Study Hard, Play Hard!” Geraldine moved to the Lincoln County Nursing Home in 2006 where she quickly jumped into the festivities. She made friends quickly and loved being back in the middle of activities once again. Geraldine was preceded in death by her parents, husband Leonard, two brothers (Wayne and Delbert Gangwish), and sister-in-law (Norma Gangwish). Geraldine is survived by one sister and brother-in-law Lois & Taulby Stewart of Lewiston, Idaho; her two children: Robbie Smith & Janet of Denver, CO; and Renee & Gregg Loutzenhiser of Flagler, CO; five grandchildren: Kyla Glass of Limon, CO; Jennie & Raph Jolliffe of Stratton, CO; Stacy Loutzenhiser of Colorado Springs, CO; Dallas Loutzenhiser of Flagler, CO; and Kelli & Dallas Vaughn and great-granddaughter Kelsie of Stratton, CO. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.