Patricia 'Pat' Smith was born to
Katherine (Salzer) Corber and Alva 'Bill' Corber near Waverly
Kansas August 8th, 1932. She was the youngest of three siblings, with
two older brothers, Robert 'Jack' and Billy Corber. The Great
Depression forced the family to move to the country outside of Topeka
where her Father farmed with a large workhorse named Rex and her
mother gardened and canned. Pat and her brothers attended a one room
schoolhouse and studied by oil lamp. Pat would recall that she had a
good family because they all helped each other out during the hard
times of the Great Depression. Their farmhouse burned down, so the
family moved to Topeka where her father worked as a Plumber As there
was little money for new clothes, Pat learned to sew. Her Hungarian
born Grandfather Stephen was a tailor, and she enjoyed visiting him
at the shop he worked at in Topeka while she was on her way home from
school. Her Grandmother Mary was trained in Hungary as a Chef, and
she had fond memories of meals she shared with her Grandparents.
Pat attended Topeka High School and
spent 2 years at Washburn University before having to discontinue her
schooling due to lack of funding. After leaving college, Pat worked
various jobs before marrying and raising six children. Pat?s own
family knew her as a fine seamstress and excellent
cook. She also enjoyed flower and
vegetable gardening, canning, and ran a little vegetable stand off
her front porch for many years. Pat was also an animal lover and
sheltered many beloved cats and dogs over her lifetime.
Pat had unwavering devotion to her
family, and she was someone her family could count on through good
times and bad. Pat was tough, enduring the loss of two children and
multiple bouts with cancer. Overall, Pat felt like she had a good
life and made it her work to raise her family in the best possible
way given her blue-collar resources. We will miss her terribly but
are grateful for the 90 years she had on this earth and the lessons
she taught us. Pat died at home with family by her side
She is survived by her children: Terry
Smith; David Scott; Matt (Beth) Smith; Vicki (John) Daniel and
Lorraine Leaf; brothers: Billy Gene Corber; Robert Jack Corber. There
are also numerous Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and one Great
Great Grandchild.
Pat is preceded in death by her
parents, Husband, Son Larry D. Smith and Daughter Linda Didier
Graveside committal service will be
10:00 a.m., Saturday October 1, 2022 at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in
Newton with The Reverend Donna Voteau presiding.
Pat?s favorite color was blue, so in
memorial, please wear this in her honor. Please sent memorial
contributions to Caring Hands Humane Society or Harry Hynes Hospice.
