20 Feb 1941 – 8 Jun 2012
3rd-Great-Granddaughter of Philip Cardon and Martha Marie Tourn
2nd-Great-Grandaughter of Jean Paul Cardon and Susannah Goudin
Great-Granddaughter of John Paul Cardon and Euphemia Howie King
Granddaughter of Beryl Cardon and William Ferdinand Ruchti
Daughter of Iva Norma Ruchti and Carl Robert Wheatley
POCATELLO – Elsie Louise Smith, age 71, passed away graciously at her home by her family on Friday, June 8, 2012, following a battle with breast cancer.
She was born February 20, 1941, in Pocatello, Idaho, to Carl and Norma (Ruchti) Wheatley. Elsie was the eldest of four children, Robert, Paul and Cheryl Wheatley. Elsie grew up on a family farm in Chubbuck, Idaho, shared by her grandparents, Robert and Elsie Wheatley.
Elsie married her high school sweetheart, Leon “Bud” Smith, in 1958. Elsie was a mother, homemaker, small business partner and career Realtor who always placed her faith in God and the needs of her family, friends and neighbors first.
Elsie loved gardening and antique collecting and was passionate about giving back to her community with many years of volunteer and humanitarian projects of all types. Her compassionate and loving nature was genuine. She graced everyone with kindness and was loved and admired by all.
Elsie retired in 2004, spending her summer time with her husband building a cabin in Island Park and winters traveling to visit her family in Arizona and her children and grandchildren in California.
Elsie is survived by her spouse, Bud Smith; her sisters in-law, JoAnna Doan and Judy Yearsley; her daughter; Laurie (Smith) Strand; her granddaughter, Katie Strand; grandson, Jacob Strand; and great-granddaughter, Rylee Strand. Also survived by her son, Rod Smith; her twin granddaughters, Jurney and Jordey Smith; and her step-grandchildren, Travis Ricks and Ashley Brown. Elsie is also survived by her siblings, Robert Wheatley, Paul Wheatley and Cheryl (Wheatley) Harrold; and her father, Carl Wheatley, age 91, a World War II veteran.
Funeral services will be on Wednesday, June 13, 2012, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 248 N. Arthur, Pocatello, Idaho. Viewing begins at 10 a.m., with services starting at 11 a.m., followed by a social.
A special thanks to all of Elsie’s caring and supportive friends and extended family who have supported her in the last year.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be contributed to: “Hope Support Group” in care of Rob Dye, Portneuf Cancer Center, 777 Hospital Way, Pocatello Idaho 83201
Mountain View Cemetery, Pocatello, Idaho
