B. Lavina "Kit" Smith, 84, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Friday, July 18, 2008, at the Columbus Community Hospital.

The funeral service will be Tuesday, July 22, 10:30 A.M. at Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. Douglas Zurek officiating. Interment will be in the Roselawn Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be on Monday from 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. at the Gass Haney Funeral Home and on Tuesday from 9:30 - 10:30 A.M. at the church with a family prayer service at 10:15 A.M.  Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society or Trinity Lutheran Church.

B. Lavina "Kit" Smith was born November 8, 1923 in rural Maxwell, Nebraska, to Jerry and Laura (Siegal) Bockus.  She went to rural school and graduated from North Platte High School, North Platte, Nebraska.  She married Kenneth E. Smith on July 3, 1943 in Madison, Wisconsin.  Kit was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Columbus where she helped with Sunday School and Bible School when her daughters were young.  She served as the coordinator of Meals on Wheels for the church for many years.  She was involved in Brownies, Girl Scouts, 4-H, and the American  Cancer Society.  Kit was a 45 year member of the American Legion Auxiliary, and a member of the Loup Public Power Engineers Auxiliary. She worked for J.C. Penny's, Wilber Sharp C.P.A., and H & R Block.  She enjoyed spending time with her family, bowling, golf, and traveling.  During their 50 years of marriage, Kit and Ken visited all 50 states.  In 1997, Kenneth and Kit were chosen as the Volunteers of the Year for the State of Nebraska for the American Cancer Society.  Kit was also very supportive of the US Troops in Iraq, having had three grandchildren serving in Iraq at the same time.

Kit is survived by:

Daughter - Christine (Robert) Rosane of North Platte, NE

Daughter - Teri (Ed) Kinzer of Columbus, NE

Son-in-law - Joe Manak of Columbus, NE

Grandson - Brett (Rebecca) Manak of Columbus, NE

     Great-grandchildren - Gabrielle and Brianna

Grandson - Ben (Jessie) Manak of Columbus, NE

Granddaughter - Becki Baker of Columbus, NE

     Great-grandchild - Dylan

Granddaughter - Angela Rosane of North Platte, NE

     Great-grandchildren - Kayte, Dustin, Evie, Zarah

Grandson - Nate Rosane of Colorado Springs, CO

Grandson - Tyler Rosane of North Platte, NE

Granddaughter - Chris McHugh of Chicago, IL

Granddaughter - Jillian Kinzer of Columbus, NE

Granddaughter - Kelly Kinzer of Lincoln, NE

Grandson - Nick Kinzer of Columbus, NE

Sister - Ella Mae (OIiver) Holmes - Santa Rosa, CA

 

Kit was preceded in death by:

Parents - Jerry and Laura Bockus

Husband - Kenneth E. Smith

Daughter - Sherry Manak

Brothers - Clarence, Wayne, Lloyd, James, and Ralph Bockus

Sisters - Dora Hansen, and Faye Bockus

 

SERVICE INFORMATION

God hath not promised
Skies always blue.
Flower-strewn pathways
All our lives through:
God hath not promised
Sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow,
Peace without pain.

But God hath promised
Strength for the day;
Rest for the labor,
Light for the way;
Grace for the trials,
Help from above;
Unfailing sympathy,
Undying love…

Music
Ann Cattau - Accompanist
Becki Baker - "The Old Rugged Cross"
Nick Kinzer - Trumpet - "Peace Like A River"
Nate Rosane - Guitar - "I Can Only Imagine"
Ed Cerny - "On Eagle's Wings"
Congregation - "Amazing Grace"

Casket Bearers
Brett Manak                    Ben Manak

Becki Baker            Angela Rosane

Nate Rosane              Tyler Rosane
Chris McHugh            Jillian Kinzer

Kelly Kinzer                  Nick Kinzer

Ryan Baldwin