Obituary of Avis Marlene Smith

Smith, Avis Marlene aged 93, passed away on December 31 at Arbor Lane Senior Home in Burnsville, MN.

She was born on July 29, 1931 in Elmore, Minnesota and grew up in Austin, Minnesota. Avis's life was shaped by her experiences growing up during the Depression, which inspired her profound love for her family and for creating and enjoying beautiful things.

Avis was the beloved wife of Jim Smith, with whom she shared 73 happy years of marriage until his passing in 2022. Together, they cherished their home on Crystal Lake, in Lakeville Minnesota, where they undertook years of ambitious DIY landscaping projects without the aid of Youtube tutorials! Avis's flair for decorating was evident inside the home and at her daughter Sue's home, where she lovingly decorated every season. Avis turned this talent into a profession, and worked as a decorator for a department store and with Orin Thompson Homes to help bring warmth and beauty into many spaces. Avis was an avid reader and talented fisherwoman, famously winning a fishing contest with a giant muskie catch.

Avis and Jim also enjoyed cruises throughout the US and Europe, and winter getaways to Las Vegas. One of their favorite trips was a family sojourn to the village of Sæbø,Norway, where they discovered their respective Norwegian relatives lived a few fjords away from each other. Avis and Jim held season tickets at the Ordway for many years, and greatly enjoyed music, theater, and opera. Avis also loved to sing with others. At the yearly Smith family reunions at her son Brad's house on Rabbit Lake, there was often a family singalong with much laughter. During an annual Smith family Christmas sing-along her soprano "Partridge in a Pear Tree" solo during the "12 Days of Christmas" was always a show-stopper.

Late in life, she found great fulfillment in helping those around her at Arbor Lanes. She created her own community library (Avis's Library: read and return!), bringing the joy of reading to fellow residents, and also started an after-lunch choir and social hour.

Avis's life was a testament to her love for Jim, her family, her creativity, and her commitment to enriching the lives of others through books, music, art, and design. She will be fondly remembered and sorely missed.

She leaves behind a legacy of love and joy through her son, Brad Smith, (Tammie) and daughter, Sue Luse, (Tom) as well as her 4 grandchildren and their spouses and 4 great-grandchildren, who will miss her deeply. Avis was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, her brothers, a sister, and her parents.

A service to celebrate Avis's life will be held at the Arbor Lane Chapel on February 5, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her memory to Avis's Library at Arbor Lane.