Icel Smith

ICEL MAE SMITH, 91 died January 8, 2016 at Residence in Clay Center, Ks. She was born on December 3, 1924 in Clay County, KS. The daughter of Julius and Julia (Hedlund) Nelson. Icel was the youngest of four children. She grew up on a farm in northeast Clay County where she attended Idlewild School for eight years and then graduated from Clay Center High School in 1942. On October 10, 1943, she married John Rothfuss at her parent's home near Idana, Kansas. They lived south of Miltonvale until 1945 when they moved to rural Clifton where their three sons, Jerry, Larry and Dennis were born. In 1980, John and Icel moved to a home built by their sons on a farm east of Miltonvale, Kansas. John died on December 12, 1986. On April 27, 1993 she married Harley Smith. They had a wonderful marriage and enjoyed many trips. Harley died on January 6, 2005. Icel was fortunate to remain on the farm and continued making farming decisions until her death. Icel leaves a legacy of being kind, thoughtful, and generous to everyone she knew. She is preceded in death by parents; two husbands; granddaughter, Jill Johnson; brother, Loren Nelson; sisters, Opal and Melva Rothfuss; and two step grandchildren. She was the last surviving member of her generation of Rothfusses and Nelsons. Survivors: Son: Jerry (Carolyn Sue) Rothfuss, Clay Center, KS Son: Larry (Pam) Rothfuss, Abilene, KS Son: Dennis (Donice) Rothfuss, Winston Salem, NC Grandchildren: Laura (Steve) Squires, Teri (Eric) Swanson, Kristin (Aaron) Huerter, Matthew Rothfuss, Anitra (Sherman) Richardson, and Tim Rothfuss, grandson in-law, Ryan Johnson 14 Great Grandchildren and 1 Great Great Grandchild Step Daughter: Melva (Ross) Hoffines, Salina, KS Step Son: Bob (Kennie) Smith, Delphos, KS Step Daughter: Janet (Lou) Fraas, Overland Park, KS Step Daughter: Deb (Joe) Robins, Minneapolis, KS Step Son: Doug (Diana) Smith, Delphos, KS 10 Step Grandchildren and 17 Step Great Grandchildren Many nieces, nephews and other relatives Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at 1:30PM at the F.C. Hill Memorial Wesleyan Church in Miltonvale, KS Officiating the service will be Pastor Shane Britt Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery, Clay Center, Kansas Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 from 3-8PM. The family will greet friends from 4-6PM atNeill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home Memorials may be made to the F.C. Hill Memorial Wesleyan Church or the American Cancer Society and can be sent in care of the funeral home.