Nedra Jane Smith

Nedra Jane Smith, 85, of Oskaloosa passed away Tuesday, August 12, 2014 at the Oskaloosa Care Center. Nedra Jane Smith, daughter of Edward C. and Mary “Lena” Evalena (Maddox) Andree, was born, September 18, 1928, at the Masonic Hospital in Cherokee, Oklahoma. She attended grades 1-5 at Alfalfa Co. Enterprise School #144, grades 6-8 at Short Springs School #42, and completed her high school years at Lambert High School in 1946 as the valedictorian of her class. Nedra Jane furthered her education at Northwestern State College at Alva, Oklahoma from1946-47 and completed her degree in education at Friends University at Wichita, KS, graduating in 1949. Her first job teaching was at Short Springs Rural School where she taught for two years. She was next employed in Fowler, Kansas teaching 3rd grade. She married Norval D. Smith, May 23, 1953, at the Cherokee Friends Church where Norval was a pastor. Norval’s position as church pastor would take the family to Wilmore, KS, Enid, OK and finally to Marshalltown, IA in 1960. Nedra Jane was a stay at home mom to her two sons during these years but taught piano and organ and also served as a youth sponsor in their churches. In 1968, Norval accepted a position as college professor at William Penn College in Oskaloosa and Nedra Jane accepted a position as Headstart director/teacher. She remained at Headstart until 1975 when she accepted a position as the Chapter One teacher for a year. Nedra Jane accepted the job as kindergarten teacher at Grant School in 1976 and remained there until 1992. After her retirement, Nedra Jane could then pursue some of her real passions: antiques, Pekinese dog figurines, Piano Babies, pattern glass and Native American artifacts. She opened the Antique Shop in downtown Oskaloosa in 1997 and operated it until 2011. Nedra Jane was an active member of the College Avenue Friends Church: she served as clerk on the Young Friends Board and the Ministry Counsel of the Iowa Yearly Meeting. She also served on the local ministry, counsel and music committees of her church. She was a former member of the Wm. Penn University Board of Trustees, Chief Mahaska Questers and Rho Chapter Delta Kappa Gamma. Nedra Jane’s family includes her son, Duane A. Smith of Berea, KY and two grandsons: Jeremiah and Isaiah of Valparaiso, IN. In addition to her parents, Nedra Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Norval of 54 years, on January 4, 2008 and her son, Edward on June 16, 2009. Funeral services for Nedra Jane will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 16, 2014 at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel with Pastor James Tower officiating. Burial will be in Short Springs Cemetery in Cherokee, OK at 10 a.m., Monday, August 18, 2014. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday; the family will be present from 4-6 p.m. to greet visitors. Memorials may be made to College Avenue Friends Church or to William Penn University.

Nedra Jane Smith

September 18, 1928 - August 12, 2014