Mary J. Smootz

Mary J. Smootz, 81, formerly from Esko, Minn., passed away Thursday, July 1, 2010, at Inter-Faith Care Center in Carlton, Minn. She was born Dec. 4, 1928, in International Falls, Minn., to George and Mary (Kerstia) Franko. Mary graduated from International Falls High School in 1946. She was united in marriage to Claude D. Smootz on Sept. 17, 1950, in International Falls. She was first employed at Craig's Hospital in International Falls at the age of 14. After following her family to and from Longview, Wash., for a short period of time, she was employed at Falls Memorial Hospital from 1946-1953. Mary studied her nursing textbooks in International Falls to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. She passed the state board exams in Minneapolis in 1948. She was also employed by Scripp's Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, Calif., from 1953-1957 and Bemidji Regional Hospital from 1957-1961. Mary took four years of Russian language classes at Bemidji State College. When Claude and Mary moved to Esko in 1961, Mary worked at Community Memorial Hospital in Cloquet until her retirement in 1985. Mary was an avid reader and Scrabble player. She also enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing and watching birds and other wildlife.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Claude D. Smootz; one son, David Bradley Smootz; and three brothers and sisters-in-laws, Matt (Mary) Franko, John (Ann) Franko and Nick (Dorothy) Franko.

She is survived by two daughters, Terri DeMerchant of Lethbridge, Alberta, and Melanie Westfall of Pflugerville, Texas; two granddaughters, Merilee (Blake) Engel and Kailee Westfall; a sister-in-law "adopted sister," Betsy Martin (Jim) of Maple Grove, Minn.; several "adopted daughters, sons and grandchildren" as well as numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 21, from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. memorial service at Nelson Funeral Care, 1004 Cloquet Ave., Cloquet. Inurnment will be at Indus Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Children's Cancer Research Fund, 7801 E. Bush Lake Rd., Ste 130, Minneapolis, MN 55439-3152.

The family has selected Nelson Funeral Care of Cloquet, 218-879-3225, to assist them with arrangements. See the online guest book at www.nelsonfuneralcare.net.

July 22, 2010 ~ Pine Journal, Cloquet, Minn.

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