Montezuma - Irene Koehn Smith was born to Andrew and Minnie (Schmidt) Koehn on August 12, 1921 at Chickasha, Oklahoma. She was the ninth of eleven children, of which one died at four years of age. Her ninety-three years of time came to an end at midnight on December 18, 2014, in Bethel Home at Montezuma, Kansas.

In her childhood Mother knew hardship and poverty. When she was ten, the family moved to Montezuma, Kansas in the hope of better opportunity. Because of circumstances she was sent, at age eleven, to live with a family in the Galva, Kansas area. In the memories she has left in writing she recounts the painful lonesomeness she experienced during that time. She said the one bright spot was that there, at age twelve, she heard the Lord's call and yielded her life to Him. She was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite at the Lone Tree Congregation, Galva, Kansas, on March 18, 1934. Throughout her entire life she remained faithful to those vows.

In 1930, at the beginning of the Dust Bowl, the family moved back to Oklahoma. Mother told about picking cotton to help the family. At age fifteen she went to live with her brother Frank and family, at Fairview, Oklahoma. In the course of the next years she worked in various homes in Kansas and Oklahoma.

She became acquainted with our father, Vernie Smith of Ringwood, Oklahoma in 1938, shortly after he was converted at age nineteen. A few years later Dad was assigned to a camp in Colorado Springs, Colorado as a conscientious objector during World War II. During a one-week leave he came home and proposed marriage to Mother. They were married the next Sunday evening, October 31, 1943, at Fairview, Oklahoma, returning to Colorado Springs in a few days. Thus began a union that endured for seventy-one years.

Upon being released in Cleveland, Ohio from alternative service at the end of World War II, they returned to Fairview, Oklahoma, later moving to Isabella, Oklahoma. In 1949 they, together with several brethren, made a mission investigative trip to Navajo land in Arizona. As a result, a conviction to serve as missionaries to the Navajo nation was born in their hearts. This became a reality in July of 1956, beginning at Greasewood, Arizona. With a few interludes they continued their efforts among the Navajo people until the mid 1970's. In the years following, they also spent a number of short-term periods on the reservation. Mother's heart never left the reservation and the friendships formed during those years never faded. She will be fondly remembered by many Navajo people and former mission workers.

When their years of service in Arizona were drawing to a close they began making their home at Goltry, Oklahoma. The small congregation of Pleasant View Mennonite Church greatly appreciated their contribution of spiritual vitality and outgoing interest in others. For a few years they operated a grocery store and Mother's cheerfulness was an asset. For seventeen years they were diligent custodians of the church.

Many were blessed by Mother's hospitality. Her sons-in-law never questioned her acceptance of them. She was glad for every grandchild and was concerned for their spiritual welfare. Dad and Mother's view of life was that happiness was found in spiritual values, not material abundance. With that mind she was not one to complain or strive to attain what others possessed. She was a stable Christian who was not given to questioning God's love and grace. Her confidence in the Church and loyalty to the faith prevented criticism. Her faith and confidence in God was steadfast, she leaving a clear testimony of being ready to meet the Lord several weeks before her passing.

Those left behind are her grieving husband, Vernie Smith, Bethel Home, Montezuma, Kansas; three daughters: Judy, and husband Gladwin Koehn, Macon, Mississippi; Saundra, and husband Franklin Koehn, Scott City, Kansas; and Carlotta, and husband Dennis Koehn, Lahoma, Oklahoma; ten grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren. Her nieces and nephews were treasured. Judy Spence, Bonners Ferry, Idaho, began making her home with Mother and Dad in Arizona, continuing with them for several more years when they returned to Goltry, Oklahoma. Preceding her in death were her parents and all her brothers and sisters.

The family makes a heart-felt acknowledgment of the personal interest of the Bethel Home staff. They went beyond duty in rendering their care.

Funeral service will be held at Pleasant View Mennonite Church in Goltry, Oklahoma on Sunday, December 21, 2014 at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at Karoma Cemetery in Goltry. Visitation will be at Bethel Home in Montezuma on Saturday, December 20, 2014 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Memorials are suggested to Bethel Home in care of Swaim Funeral Chapel. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.