Louise Marie Smith, 91, of Eagle, passed away June 6, 2024.
On May 24th, 1933, Elmer and Edythe Douglas welcomed their daughter Louise Marie into the world in Deer Lodge, Montana. She was a beautiful baby, later joined by her brothers, David and Billy Douglas, and finally, a sister, Leona Douglas.
At 17, Mom married our father, Jack J. Smelser, and they had me, Kathleen Louise, followed by my brother Terry Lee. Their marriage lasted 11 years before ending in divorce. A year later, our father tragically died at 35, falling from the Biggs Junction bridge he was painting.
Mom’s next marriage was to Richard Foster, with whom she had our brother, Mark Douglas Foster, in 1962. This marriage, too, ended in divorce. Her search for love continued, and she married Darrell (Sonny) Smith in 1966. This relationship also ended in divorce.
Embracing independence, Mom embarked on numerous adventures. She traveled to Alaska to work as a cook in a hunting lodge, a rustic cabin with running water, a kitchen, but no indoor bathroom. She humorously recounted the steps to the outhouse in letters to me. Later, she moved to Seattle, working in an upholstery shop and forging lifelong friendships. She then settled in Weiser, Idaho, for another upholstery job. Eventually, she met Ron, who shared her passion for horses, and together they spent years raising and showing Paint horses. Having been around horses since childhood, this fulfilled her lifelong dream.
Mom adored her children. She often jokingly called me her favorite daughter, though I was her only one. Her love extended to her entire family, including nieces, nephews, cousins, and even her dogs, who all loved her back.
Mom endured the pain of losing her son, our brother, Mark Foster, to suicide at the age of 39 in 2002. Her brother, Billy Douglas, passed away in 2021.
Her survivors include her brother, Dave Douglas, along with his wife Alice, residents of Arizona. Sister Leona (Lee) Callahan resides in Emmett, Idaho. Terry Smelser makes his home in Hoodsport, Washington, and I, Kathleen Leighton, live with my husband Randy in Eagle, Idaho. Our family includes Hollee and Phil Kildow, Nampa Idaho and Cacee and Art Valencia along with the wonderful Grandchildren, Marissa, Isabella and Diego. Randy and I were very involved in caring for my mother during her life. She stayed with us for several months before we discovered Edgewood Spring Creek Assisted Living in Eagle, a place she adored and where she was equally cherished. I would like to express my gratitude to the staff, particularly to Suzi Gerlach, the Executive Director, for their care and concern. This journey would have been much more difficult without their support. My mother passed away peacefully and with dignity on June 6, 2024, at the age of 91. We celebrated her last birthday with cake among all the residents, which she greatly enjoyed. On the day she passed, I visited her; even though she was sleeping, I felt that she could hear me as I told her it was okay to let go and that I loved her dearly. I believe I felt a slight squeeze of her hand in response. She departed this world about an hour later. I love you morester Mom…
The ashes of mom, her beloved son Mark, and her treasured dog Nicki will be scattered together in the mountains near a creek in Idaho City.