Rhoda Mae Smoker

Rhoda Mae Smoker

Rhoda Mae Smoker, 77, 500 W. Bluestem in North Newton, died Thursday (Aug. 6, 1998) at Kidron Bethel Healthcare in North Newton.

She was born July 6, 1921, in Ronks, Pa., to Reuben Newswanger and Mary (Ressler) Newswanger. She married Kenneth Smoker Dec. 27, 1942. He preceded her in death March 17, 1994.

She was a homemaker and former door-to-door saleswoman. She was a member of First Mennonite Church in Newton where she was a pastoral assistant.

Survivors include: four daughters, Rosalie Allen of Orleans, Ind., Carolyn Smoker of Wichita, Mary Lucille Thomas of Santa Maria, Calif., and Char Claassen of Omaha, Neb.; one son, Russell Smoker of Harper; another daughter, Ellen Janssen of Holmesville, Neb.; another son, Guy Smoker of Cottonwood Falls; three sisters, Anna Slaymaker of Gap, Pa., Elva Gascho of Goshen, Ind., and Stella Newswanger of San Juan, Puerto Rico; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

She also was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers.

A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Monday at the First Mennonite Church with the Rev. Clarence Rempel officiating. A private burial will be in the Eastlawn Cemetery in Zimmerdale.

Friends may call from 1 to 5 p.m. today and 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Petersen Funeral Home. Family will greet friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Memorials have been established with Kidron Bethel Healthcare in care of the funeral home.