Venice
Warm embraces, soft blue eyes,
A window to her soul.
Listening ears, gentle hands,
The art of self-control.
Potato salad, koolaid dessert,
Homemade dollar rolls.
Pumpkin cookies, poor man’s fruit cake,
Food to lift the soul.
Card game playing, yarn crocheting,
Lovely poem after poem.
Reader, writer, organ player,
Genealogy from the home.
Temple worker, serve a mission,
Never a birthday forgot.
Family reunions, Christmas parties,
Matriarch to the whole Smith lot.
Open door, happy smile,
Hair as white as snow.
Home content, spirit filled,
Waving from her window.
Proud mother, admired grandma,
Family chain that will not break.
Long legacy, admired heritage,
My only daughter’s namesake.
Son lost, husband passed,
But the eternal plan in view.
Stays busy, keeps serving,
Until her time is through.
prayer in our heart and faith to move mountains.
I love you Grandma!
Love, Jami (August 2013)
On Monday, December 23, 2013, my dear Grandma returned to her heavenly home at the age of 98.
On December 28th, family and friends gathered to say our goodbyes.
The daughter, saying goodbye to her mother and the great granddaughter saying goodbye to her namesake.
The son-in-law saying goodbye to his "mum."
The brother saying goodbye to his beloved sister.
And grandchildren saying goodbye to their cute grandma.
It was a time for people near and far to gather.
It was a time for a daughter and her siblings to do one last thing for the mom who had done so much for them.
It was a time to recognize little miracles, like the sun pushing through the clouds and warming each of us on such a cold, winter day.
It was a time for little ones to ask questions about where grandma was and what she was doing.
It was a time for grandson's to show their love and offer assistance to a woman they all knew and loved.
It was a time for silent thoughts and rushing memories of a woman who stood as the matriarch in our family for so long.
It was also a time for smiles and celebration, knowing that death was not the end for grandma, only another step in this grand plan.
It was a time to remember that grandma was happy, that we would see her again and that families are eternal.
How thankful I am that I was a part of this woman's life, that she lived 98 wonderful years, that I have a daughter who will carry on her name and that I will see her again.
Venice Hansen Smith Obituary
Logan - This story began over 98 years ago on Sept. 21, 1915. Nora May Lowe Hansen and Moroni Hansen, brought their fifth child into their family in Logan, Utah. She was one of seven children, five boys and two girls.
Venice grew up in Logan surrounded by a loving and caring family where they spent time between their Logan home and their summer home in Logan Canyon. She graduated from Logan High School.
Venice's work experience began in a bakery and ended as a homemaker, mother and grandmother to many who always demanded endless hours of attention. Then there was a husband: George Arrol Smith whom she met at a dance and later married in the Logan Temple on June 18th, 1936.
Arrol and Venice began their married life in a two room house in Amalga, Utah, where Arrol owned and operated a dairy farm. After ten years they were able to build a house down the road. Venice drew up the plans for the construction and they built it as supplies became available. Venice was so anxious to get into her new house, that they moved in before it was completed and continued building around the construction. In 1996 after Arrol's death she moved to Logan, Utah where she continued to take care of her home and herself for 17 years until her death.
Arrol and Venice were blessed with six children. Their posterity now numbers 125 with 23 grandchildren, 63 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. Her whole existence was dedicated to her
family. All were made to feel as though he or she was the favorite child. Hours were spent with each child meeting their needs and loving them as only she was able to do. Each was encouraged and taught at her knee, she exemplified the Savior in all her teachings and doings.
Mom was always home when we arrived from school. Her life lessons were taught at the ironing board, while doing dishes or cooking. She never had idol hands. There was always a meal to prepare, more laundry, another nose to wipe or another corner to clean. Mom always did it willingly, taking quiet pride in what she had accomplished.
Venice lost her son Jay in a farm accident in 1965, and her loving husband whom she gave her heart to in 1986, after nearly fifty years of marriage.
Together Arrol and Venice traveled to many parts of the world. Venice especially liked the Holy Land and New Zealand, but was always glad to get back to their home and family in Amalga.
Venice served as an Ordinance worker in the Logan Temple for over 15 years. After the death of her husband, she served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Salt Lake Family
History center. The Amalga Ward was blessed as she used her many talents and abilities in service to them and to Heavenly Father. She loved and had such great faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Venice would often be heard saying, "I don't know why I was so blessed with such wonderful family and friends". We all knew that she had earned and deserved every blessing that she received. She will always be referred to by her rich posterity as "Cute Grandma or Grandma Great."
In her quiet moments she loved to read, work on family history, write poetry and attended Church Institute classes into her late 80' s.
Our loving Mom and Grandmother was welcomed home on
Dec. 23, 2013 but we know that this is not the end to her story. It is just another beginning that she will accept with the same humility and unconditional love that she has shared here in Cache Valley. She will be greatly missed but her life and example will be celebrated throughout eternities.
Venice is survived by five children: Boyd Arrol Smith (Carolyn) of St. George, Utah, Noragene Bishop (Keith) of Bountiful, Utah, Karen Clarissa Jenson (Ralph) Blackfoot, serving as missionaries in the Ohio, Cleveland Mission, Vicki Olsen (Larry) Petersboro, Utah and Judy Kaye Barnes (Roger) Bear River City, Utah, and brothers: Lavon Hansen (Evelyn) and Glen Hansen (Marty).
Mom was preceded in death by Arrol, her son Jay, brothers Lazon, Merland, Gerald and sister Rita and also her beloved parents.
