Mary Ellen Smith

Mary Ellen Smith, the daughter of Giles and Mildred (Ditmer) Ripperger, was born on February 18, 1954, in Afton, Iowa. She was raised and received her early education in Afton where she graduated from East Union High School. After graduation, she moved to Des Moines where she worked at the Big M Caf� and then at the Airport Holiday Inn for many years. On July 2, 1999, Mary married Jim Smith. Following their marriage the couple lived in Des Moines and then moved to Spencer in 2004. Mary liked to attend the Trinity Lutheran Church when her health permitted her and just recently she attended Bethany Lutheran Church both in Spencer. Mary enjoyed gardening and canning. She loved to spend time with her family, especially going to her grandkid's sporting events. Mary passed away on August 24, 2009, at the Spencer Hospital at the age of 55. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Jim of Spencer, IA; her son, Charles Ashby of Portland, OR; her daughter, Sarah Stone Strock and her husband, Don of Spencer, IA; two grandchildren; many step children and stepgrandchildren; her parents, Giles and Mildred Ripperger of Ankeny, IA; three sisters: Patricia Hart and her husband, John of St. Joeseph, MO, Sandy Konklar of Des Moines, IA and Linda Landers and her husband, Mike of Des Moines, IA other relatives and many friends.

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