Ida "Elaine" Penny Smith

September 30, 1937 - June 25, 2022

Ida "Elaine" Penny Smith, 84, passed away peacefully at home on June 25th, 2022. Elaine was born to Bernard W. and Ethel M. (Farrens) Penny on September 30, 1937, south of Decatur at a farm along the bluffs. After attending Farrens School, she attended and graduated from Decatur High School in 1955. After spending nearly five years in California, she returned to Decatur and attended a fireman’s ball while she was back. “This good looking guy asked me to dance, and we danced for over 60 years.” Elaine married Dan L. Smith of rural Craig, NE during a blizzard on January 15th, 1960. To this union, three children were born. David Wayne (12-22-61), Donette Elaine (10-5-64) and Darol Eugene (5-29-73).

Elaine is survived by her husband of over 62 years, Dan, her children David (Jamie) Smith of Arlington, NE, Donette (companion Daniel Hanna) Smith of Lyons, NE and Darol (Tabetha) Smith of Bennington, NE and her five grandsons, Tanner Smith of Indianapolis, IN, Riley Smith of Omaha, NE, Keaton, Aidan and Connor Smith of Bennington, NE. Elaine is also survived by two sisters, Bonnie Banner of Red Oak, TX and Jeanine Penny of Rossville, KS, and a sister-in-law, Marjorie Johnson of Fremont, NE, plus numerous nieces, nephews and close friends living across the country.

Preceding her in death were her parents, sisters Norma (John) Banner, Wilma (Earle) Maddox, Lois (Francis) Eriksen, Helen (Harlan) Eriksen, brothers Elwin (Hazel) Penny, Forrest (Lucille, Erma) Penny, Brothers-in-law, David Banner, Bill (Iris) Smith, Sisters-in-law Velma (Philip) Cooper, Opal (Willard) Lofdahl, nephews Joel Penny, Phil Penny, Dennis Maddox, Bob Mussack and Bob Henderson, great-nephews Colt Penny and Shane Vogltance, and a great niece Amanda Christ.

After marrying Dan, Elaine lived on a farm west of Craig for close to 10 years before moving to a farm 5 miles east of Lyons on New Years Eve of 1969, where she resided until death. They farmed there until 1984, when about that time Elaine began work as a dental assistant for Dr. Charles L. Bradley in Lyons. She was employed there for 24 years after which she worked at the Happy Days Senior Center for 10 years until fully retiring in 2017. She belonged to the Craig Methodist, Divide Center Presbyterian and Lyons Presbyterian churches.

As a couple, Dan and Elaine were undoubtedly known for their dancing. Along with going anywhere from local VFW’s, to ballrooms, to out-of-state polka festivals, they also instructed a ballroom dance course offered by Northeast Technical Community College. Dan and Elaine closely followed their children’s musical careers in the bands Street Legal, Ivory Star, One Night Stand, Soul Dawg and Silver Moon. An immense amount of friends were made from these bands as were countless 4 am breakfasts at Elaine’s hands hosting housefuls of tired, yet starving groups of musicians and stage crews.

Elaine thoroughly loved watching her grandsons, whether it was a school play, a musical, or football, basketball and baseball games, and as mom said, “Just watching the grandsons mature into fine young men.”

   (Information taken from 50th Alumni Banquet Booklet May 2005.  You may send updated information to webmaster at any time)

Husband:  Dan

Married:  January 15, 1960

Children:  3  David-43; Donette-40; and Darol-31

Daughter-in-laws: Jamie (David's) and Tabetha (Darol's)

Grandchildren: 3   Tanner Smith-9; Riley Smith-6 and Keaton Smith-1

     After graduation I lived and worked in California for five years.  I returned to Nebraska, to marry my guy, Dan, in 1960.  We just celebrated our 45th anniversary this year.  We farmed in the Craig, NE. area then moved to Lyons and continued farming until 1984.

     We raised our three children, all three are talented in the music business, so it's given that Mom and Dad have had many years of dancing to their music and enjoying being around their many wonderful friends.

     Dad is retired from Nebraska Department of Roads, and I have been employed with Dr. Bradley D.D.S. from 1983 until his retirement in March 2005.

     We live on an acreage east of Lyons and are in good health with plans of enjoying life, our family and friends.

     Thanks to Clara and Oma for taking on the big job of getting these bios.  It's hard to sum up your life in a few words.