Iola Jane &8220;Ole&8221; Smith of 915 Homestake Drive, Golden, Colo., died suddenly of an intracranial hemorrhage on March 28, 2008. Ole was born on the family farm north of Freeborn to Manferd and Fern Seath on July 8, 1928. She attended school in Albert Lea graduating in 1946. She worked in the registrar&8217;s office at the University of Minnesota and then as secretary of First Methodist/Wesley Foundation.

Ole married Henry Dixon Smith on June 20, 1948, in Albert Lea, the marriage performed by the groom&8217;s father, the Rev. Thomas H. Smith of Alden. The family resided in Emporia, Kan., from 1950-63; Laramie, Wyo., from 1963-69; and Golden, Colo., from 1969 to present.

Ole was employed at Golden High School for 17 years, the latter years as secretary to the principal. She was a 46-year member of PEO, a former co-chair of the Danforth Foundation Associates program, a former Girl Scout leader, and served in many leadership roles in her church, various book and study groups.

Ole greatly treasured the summers at the family cabin in the Snowy Range of Wyoming, enjoying Shooting Star wildflowers, feeding chickadees, stellar jays, chipmunks, and even moose. She was twice a survivor of cancer, life-threatening pneumonia, macular degeneration, and under constant use of oxygen for asthma. Ole strongly persevered, maintaining a loving outgoing spirit through it all.

Ole is survived by her husband Dixon, of 60 years; daughter Chris (Sam) Butler and grandchildren Mallory and Brendon; son Scott (Shelly) and grandchildren Luke and Kali of Lakewood, Colo.; son Bruce (Kristen) and grandchildren Ian and Alec of Grand Junction, Colo.; son William of Golden, Colo.; sister Shirley (Paul) Miller of Aurora, Colo.; sister-in-law Almayra Seath of Albert Lea; and nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Wayne Seath.

A memorial service will be held at First Methodist Church, 1500 Ford St., Golden, Colo., at 2 p.m. Saturday. Memorials may be donated to the United Methodist Committee on Relief, the Nature Conservancy or a charity of your choice.