Anneliese Rhein Smith, 89, of Victoria, Texas, passed away peacefully on November 7, 2026 after a long journey with dementia. Ann was born July 18, 1937 in Steinheim, Germany to the late Richard Rhein and Anna Schaefer Rhein.
Ann loved family, friends, flowers, food and fun. In her 89 years, she experienced an abundance of each. Ann loved cooking, gardening and loved traveling. She had traveled most of the world in her 89 years. She loved going to the performing arts and she enjoyed cruises.
She always kept her German heritage alive with her German cooking, occasional German language and the beautiful German inspired landscaped yard of flowers.
She worked from an early age of 14 and knew hard work. She knew hardships and struggles being a child during the war, yet she flourished in life when most would not. She was a strong woman.
She met her husband, Buel Leroy Smith in Germany and they were married in 1957 in Germany. She became a US citizen and learned the language. Ann and Buel lived in Palacios, Point Comfort, Port Lavaca and lastly Victoria, where she flourished. She was catholic. She had many German friends. Ann loved playing chicken foot dominoes and entertaining her friends and family, providing many German foods to the table.
Ann is survived by her 2 sons, Curtis Leroy Smith and wife, Karen of Hallettsville, TX, Steven Smith and wife, Linda of Richmond, TX; sister, Margitta Stevens and husband, Glenn of New Ringgold, PA; 7 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Buel Leroy Smith.
A time of visitation and sharing of words will be Monday, November 16, 2026 from 10- 11 AM at Rosewood Funeral Chapel.
A private graveside will be held.
Words of comfort may be shared at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.
