Anita Smith

Anita Priscilla Smith, age 86, of Rochester, Minnesota died on Thursday, December 21, 2023 in Rochester.

Anita was born February 16, 1937 to Alfred and Gladys (Spangler) Husmann in Clinton, Iowa.  She graduated from Clinton High School and went on to attend Iowa Teachers College.  She taught kindergarten for several years.  Anita married Kenneth Smith on March 1, 1958.   In 1964, they made their home in Rochester, MN.  Anita stayed home and raised their three children, Kenneth, Susan and Sarah. 

Anita was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend.  She will be greatly missed.  She loved to entertain and enjoyed gatherings with her family and friends, teaching, bird watching, and traveling the world with Ken.  She was also active in her church community at Gloria Dei.

Anita is survived by her three children Kenneth (Susan) Smith of San Antonio, TX, Susan (Bruce) Bader of De Pere, WI, and Sarah (James) Kieffer of Saint Charles; 6 grandchildren Nicholas (Sarah Wojnicki-Smith) Smith, Michael (Alissa) Smith, Zachary (Amy) Smith, Ryan (Alexandria) Bader, Noah Bader, and Polly (Jeremy) Johnson; 6 great-grandchildren Logan Johnson, Leah Johnson, Liam Johnson, Zoe Smith, Emma Smith, and Cali Smith; nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Smith; parents, Alfred and Gladys Husmann; brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Anne Husmann; sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Robert Andresen.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 28, 2023 from 4-6:30 PM at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes (5421 Royal PL NW, Rochester, MN 55901). A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, December 29, 2023 at 11AM at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (1212 12th Ave NW, Rochester, MN 55901) with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Oakwood East Cemetery in Rochester, MN.

Donations in memory of Anita can be made to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.

Family would like to thank Mayo Hospice and Visiting Angels for their care and support.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes is honored to be serving the Smith family; to share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.