Jean Smeins

Family prayer services for Jean Smeins, 86, of Pierpont will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 5th at Paetznick-Garness Funeral Chapel, Groton. Rev. James Clarke will officiate. The family plans a Celebration of her life later this spring. Burial will take place at that time in Homer Cemetery, Pierpont.

Jean passed away Wednesday, February 2, 2011 at Bethesda Home of Aberdeen.

Jean Delores Johnson was born on October 30, 1924 in Pierpont, SD to Clifford and Effie (Kraii) Johnson. She attended rural country school near Pierpont for her elementary education. When her family moved closer to Andover, she attended Andover High School, graduating with the class of 1942. Jean continued her education at Northern State Teachers College for one year, where she earned a teaching certificate. She taught for three years in country schools near Pierpont. On November 18, 1945, she was united in marriage with Marvin Smeins in Britton. Together the couple made their home on a farm near Pierpont. Both Marvin and Jean loved children and opened their home to foster children, as well as nieces and nephews who loved spending time on the farm. In later years, Marvin and Jean enjoyed spending the winter months in Natalia, Texas with their two daughters. After Marvin's death in 1993, Jean continued to travel South each winter until her health prevented her from going this past year.

Jean was baptized and confirmed in the Presbyterian faith and was a lifetime member of Pierpont Community Church. She was a member of the Presbyterian Women Bible Study Group, and a member of the Checkered Apron Extension Club. Jean sold Stanley Products for 37 years. She was an avid reader, and would be seen carrying books in her purse, so that she would never miss an opportunity to read. Jean, also, enjoyed playing bingo. She and her friends, Beryl and Ruth, would drive many miles in order to play.

Celebrating her life through memories are her children, Doug (Mary) Smeins of Pierpont; Maejill Smeins of Natalia, Texas; Kathie Smeins of Natalia, Texas; Lee (Juli) Schlosser of Herreid, six grandchildren, Darlene Peterson, Arlin Peterson, Kimberly Morgan (Bruce Litke), Kristin (Marc) Belanger, Misty (Matt) Bekaert, Dustin Schlosser and four great-grandchildren, Chas Woolley, Conner Morgan, Cole Belanger and Destiny Bekaert. Jean is also survived by her brother, Dale (Freda) Johnson of Zapata, Texas and her sister, Nadine Smeins of Bristol.
Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband and an infant brother, Ronald.

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