Obituary of Caroline Marie Smith

Caroline Smith passed away peacefully on July 29, 2017 with her family by her side. She was born on November 2, 1942 in Wadena, Minnesota to Rosetta (Rice) and Ervin Sams. She moved to Bremerton in 1965 and married Calvin Smith November 9, 1968. They settled in Belfair in 1984. This year marks their 49th wedding anniversary. Caroline loved her family and her family loved her. Children brought a lot of joy into her life and was always surrounded by them. In addition to her 2 daughters, 7 grandkids, 1 great-grandchild, nieces and nephews, she had children all over the world in Egypt, Holland, New Zealand, Norway, Brazil, and more. She hosted and supported an array of foreign exchange students and foster children. She loved being surrounded by family, her arts and crafts, reading, working with gemstones, growing her garden, and her faith. Caroline is survived by her husband Calvin Smith, daughter Stacey (Smith) Ells and son-in-law Bill Ells (Shelton), daughter Lisa (Smith) Kelderhouse and son-in-law Tommy Kelderhouse (Belfair), grandchildren Ashlee, Hailey, Joshua, Mea, Nick, Michael & Jessica. Additionally she is survived by her brothers and sister Ervin & Mary Sams (Hibbing, Mn.), Walt Lucas (Florida), Terry & Theresa Lucas (Hibbing, Mn.), and Sherry (Lucas) & Al Curtis (Hibbing, Mn.) and she was preceded in death by her sister Beverly (Lucas). Brothers and sisters-in-law Michael and Deanna Smith (Belfair), Doug and Ilia Smith (Puyallup), Gloria (Smith) and Jim Epperson (Kingman, Az). Nieces and nephews Jeff Heeb, Bill Sams, Michael Curtis, Heather (Curtis) Fredricks, Christy (Smith) Mitchell, Nikki (Smith) Carlton, Steven Smith and Brian Smith and respective families and so many more. The family wishes to extend a special THANK YOU to the medical staff and Pastor at St. Anthony's Hospital who made it possible for Caroline to pass peacefully and to the Belfair volunteers and EMT's that responded and assisted Caroline in her times of need. A Celebration of Caroline's Life will be held at the Lower Lynch Cove Park in Belfair, Washington on Saturday, August 12, 2017 from 12:30 to 4:00pm. Please bring a side dish and your own drink and memories of Caroline.