Peggy H. Smith

Memorials are suggested to the United Methodist Church in Bruning or the Carleton American Legion Auxiliary. Peggy Darlene (Heineman) Smith was born to Keith & Josephine (Merritt) Heineman on February 25, 1929 at Verdon, Nebraska. She passed away on November 17, 2023 at The Monarch in Lincoln, Nebraska at the age of 94 years, 8 months and 23 days. She was one of 3 children born in the family. Peggy attended school at Verdon, Nebraska and graduated with the class of 1946. Upon graduating high school, Peggy moved to Lincoln, Nebraska to further her education at Lincoln School Of Commerce. While attending school in Lincoln, she was a nanny for a Doctor’s family to help pay for her room and board. It was also while attending school in Lincoln that she met her future husband, Richard C. Smith, and a courtship followed. After graduating from Lincoln School of Commerce, she was employed with National Bank of Commerce in the accounting department. Peggy and Richard were married on May 29th, 1948 in Lincoln, Nebraska. They later moved to Carleton, Nebraska and raised their three children: Rodney, Stanley & Debra. While in Carleton, Richard was engaged in the insurance business as an agency owner for Farmer’s Mutual Insurance Agency of Thayer County. Peggy became a licensed agent and helped Richard run the agency for nearly 40 years. Peggy was an active member of the Carleton Community Club, Carleton American Legion Auxiliary, the United Methodist Churches of Carleton and later Bruning, and Order of The Eastern Star. Where help was needed in the small community, you could expect Peggy to be there. She and Richard were sports fans and traveled to Lincoln to watch Husker Basketball games and to Kansas City to watch Royals Baseball games. In her younger years, Peggy taught Bible School, confirmation classes and served as a den mother to several cub scouts. She also found time to participate in a bowling league in Hebron with several other area ladies for several years. On Saturday night, you might find Peggy & Richard at the Hebron Legion Club among friends, eating and dancing and having fun. She also enjoyed doing craft projects, ceramics, sewing and crocheting. In her later years, Peggy & Richard participated in couples golf league in Hebron. Peggy also always made time to attend school events that her grandchil-dren would be participating in, whether it was plays, musical events or sporting events. Peggy moved to Haven Manor in Hickman, Nebraska in September of 2017 and made her home there the last 6 years. Peggy was preceded in death by her parents Keith & Josephine Heineman; husband Richard; brothers Bob Heineman and James Heineman; daughter-in-law Carolyn Smith; and grandson-in-law Eric Olafsen. She is survived by her children Rodney Smith & wife Sally of Pace, Florida, Stanley Smith of Lees Summit, Missouri, and Debra Zimmer & husband Karl of Roca, Nebraska; grandchildren Amie Hollard & husband Pierre, Mitzi Olafsen, Karina Brandt & husband Nate, Stanley Smith, and Troy Heinrichs; great grandchildren Joshua Rath, Jacob Rath, Andrew Rath & wife Stephy, Sarah Hollard, Sophie Hollard, Chloe Hollard, Madison Merritt, Hannah Olafsen, Blakely Olafsen, Ryan Brandt and Meghan Brandt; great great grandchildren Anastasia Rath and Mateo Rath; and several nieces and nephews.

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Peggy H. Smith

February 25, 1929 - November 17, 2023