Colleen Elizabeth Smith, 92 years old, went to her heavenly home on January 11, 2020 surrounded by her loving family. Colleen was born on November 12, 1927 in Avon, Illinois, the daughter of the late Walter James and Myrtle (Wilkins) Krahl.
She grew up during the Great Depression working in her parent’s restaurant, cleaning and washing dishes. Her father worked all week in the coal mines, but on the weekends she loved going with him on his many rabbit, coon and fox hunts; afterwards she’d carry the critters back to the house for her daddy. She moved to Peoria, Illinois where, in her late teens, she was introduced to Bob Smith. After a 2-year courtship, nineteen-year-old Colleen married the love of her life on August 24, 1947.
Bob wrote a very romantic letter to Colleen for her 70th birthday, which extolled her many virtues and steadfastness. At the end of the letter, he said, “Your aggressive Christian optimism has been amazing and practical, against every obstacle whether stroke, eye surgeries, ill-nesses and other losses and disappointments. You’ve been so like the woman of Proverbs 31. But you have some of the same faults as Wordsworth’s ‘Phantom...’ which then and now needs little correction. Happy 70. Yours, with Love...” These “same faults” was actually a WHOPPING COMPLIMENT when you read Wordsworth’s poem! Dad and Mom remained married until his passing on their 61st wedding anniversary.
Colleen earned a Bachelor of Science in World Missions from Fort Wayne Bible College and a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Science in Education from Saint Francis College, Fort Wayne, all while raising her five children. She also provided additional household income by substitute teaching and selling Avon products.
She was an avid reader of theology, mysteries, and adventure stories. She had a beautiful soprano voice and was often heard singing hymns while playing her piano. She loved God’s creation and wanted to share it with her family. Colleen decided that it was time for an adventure so she planned their first family camping trip out west. After that, both Bob and Colleen were “hooked” on camping and they traveled for many years with their children and continued camping for many years after the children were all grown. Colleen also enjoyed gardening, selling Avon Products, and running a “flea market” booth. All of these provided ways for her to “reach out” to many people. As one dear friend who knew her since childhood put it, “She loved selling her goods at the flea market, treating all she met as though they were lifelong friends. I loved her Avon collection and her enthusiasm as she talked about them. She leaves a legacy behind that will be dearly cherished for many years.” Colleen will be fondly remembered for her outgoing friendliness and her long-term dedication as an award-winning Avon cosmetics representative.
One week before she died, she was admitted to an assisted living facility. When her daughter Lorene visited her, she told her, “These people need someone to encourage them, to smile at them and to hold their hand. I need to be here.” Then she added, “So you know what? I’m going to start a Bible study!” Though Colleen never did get to start that Bible study, she prayed consistently for others during her final week on earth, even during her own physical challenges. Colleen's deep faith sustained her throughout her life.
Since her husband’s passing in 2008, Colleen had resided in Ann Arbor, Michigan and Fort Wayne, Indiana. She spent the last two years of her life in Davenport, Iowa.
Colleen is survived by one sister, Jewel Bordner; five children; sons, Mark (Maria) Smith, Leslie Smith, Maris Todd Smith; daughters, Lorene (Barry) Traver, Brenda (Brad) Smart; 18 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. Preceding Colleen in death are her husband, Robert Louis Smith; her parents, two sisters; Carol Murray, and Eris Bundren-Knakmuhs, and one brother; Tommy Krahl.
Funeral services for Colleen will be at 11:00AM on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel, 2021 N. University Street, Peoria, IL 61604. Visitation will be -one hour prior.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Colleen’s remembrance, to Samaritans Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607. Website: www.samaritanspurse.org
