Alice Louise Smith

Family, friends, colleagues, and client families will be saddened to learn of the passing of Alice L. Smith, who died with family at her side at her West Linn, OR home on November 28, 2013 at the age of 74.

Alice was born October 4, 1939 in Glasgow, Montana to Alfred and Ellen (Pankratz) Nissen. Her father was a lineman prior to serving in the military during WWII. Alice attended 13 schools before the family settled in Springfield, OR. After high school she worked various jobs and attended the University of Oregon as her finances allowed, studying Home Economics. One of her jobs was at Bonneville Power, where mutual friends encouraged her and Nelson Smith to meet. After a year of courtship, Nelson was drafted into the Army. After his service, they were married in Springfield on February 19, 1965.

In 1976, Mrs. Smith went to work for the West Linn-Wilsonville School District after having volunteered for many years while her daughters made their way through the school system. She began her career as a playground assistant, worked her way to secretary at Bolton Middle School, and finally became library assistant at West Linn High School, from where she retired.

After retirement, she and Nelson started and grew two businesses on their property in West Linn. Deep Wood Equestrian, Inc. first boarded horses in a small barn, added dogs, then took on riding and breeding responsibilities. She was deeply devoted to her animals, could never say no to new boarders and, given her deep love of family (most of whom lived very close), would often be heard to say, “I’m living in the paradise I always dreamed.”

Alice was preceded in death by her brother Grant Nissen in 1976.

She will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by

her husband of 48 years, Nelson Smith of West Linn;

their two daughters Catherine Smith and Kristen Smith;

two sisters, Elaine Mackey of Salem, OR and Laura Marshall and husband Jim of Eugene, OR;

and by her much-loved nephews and nieces, Ryan Mackey, Erin Ray, Andrew Nissen, Sarah Marshall, and Karen Marshall.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Alice on Saturday, December 7, 2013 at 1:00 PM at Young’s Funeral Home, 11831 SW Pacific Hwy in Tigard. She will be laid to rest at Willamette National Cemetery on Friday, December 6 at 9:30 AM.