Ruth Sutherland Spongberg Smith

Ruth Sutherland Spongberg Smith passed away at the age of 91 on Wednesday, September 22, 2004 at her home in Smithfield. She was born September 29, 1912 in Cowley, Big Horn Wyoming to Thomas and Grace Sutherland Spongberg. She lived in Cowley, Wyoming; Hinkley, Utah; and Preston Idaho. She attended schools in Preston, graduating from the Oneida Academy. She served an LDS Mission in the Central States Mission. She graduated from Utah Agriculture College with a degree in Education. She taught elementary school in Duchesne County, Preston, Trenton, and Richmond. She was a teacher?s aide at Summit School in Smithfield, for many years.
She married Jewel Conniel Smith November 24th 1939, in the Logan LDS Temple. She was active in the LDS Church and served in all organizations in the Church. Among some of her callings was Primary Teacher, Inservice Leader, in the Church Genealogy Program, and she was a dedicated Visiting Teacher. Ruth was an officiator in the Logan LDS Temple for 16 years, serving with her husband Jewel. She truly loved the work there and made many life-long friends.
She was active in organizations such as the PTA and she worked in the lunch room at Sky View High School for many years.
She was a loving, supportive, mother, sister, grandmother and friend who influenced many in her own quiet soft-spoken-way. Her family members were her most prized possession. She was a wonderful example of grace, dignity, and enduring to the end. She always took pride in her self-sufficiency. She did beautiful handiwork: embroidery, quilting, and sewing.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Mary, a grandson Shawn K. Watts, and her beloved husband. She is survived by her daughters, Connie Floyd Etherton, Ruth Ann Winston Watts, and Julie Glen Kraus, two sisters Grace Davis and Beulah Baxter, 9 Grandchildren, 16 Great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services for Ruth will be held Saturday September 25, at 1:00 p.m. at the Smithfield 16th Ward Chapel, 625 East 600 South, Smithfield. There will be a viewing Friday September 24th from 6-8 p.m. at Nelson Funeral Home, 85 South Main, Smithfield, and Saturday from 11:30-12:30 p.m. at the church.
Friends and family may express condolences at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com
The family invites contributions to be made to IHC Hospice.