Obituary

Obituary

Erleene Rice Smith, 96, of Rockford, passed away on August 12, 2021 at River Crossing of Rockford. Born September 3, 1924 in Belvidere, the daughter of Dr. Carroll W. and Leona (Wegge) Rice. Erleene graduated from Delavan High School in Delavan, WI in 1942 and had three years of nursing training at Evanston Hospital. She worked at the Chicago Health Department as a field nurse and as the Evening Head Nurse at River Bluff Nursing Home. Erleene married Robert John Smith on May 20, 1950; he predeceased her in 1995. She was a member of St. Anskar’s Episcopal Church where she was a member of the choir and the ECW. Erleene was also a member of the Good Time Singers and Studio Artists.

She is survived by her sons, Jerold (Louann) Smith and Randall Smith; grandchildren, Heather (Steve) Cash and Brandon (Sofia) Smith; and great-grandchildren, Ethan, Evan and Erica Cash. Also predeceased by her son, Jeffrey Smith; and brother, Arden Rice.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at St. Anskar’s Episcopal Church, 4801 Springrcreek Rd., Rockford with a visitation prior from 10 to 10:45 a.m. A visitation will also be held on Tuesday, August 17, 2021 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Fred C. Olson Chapel, 1001 2nd Ave, Rockford. Burial in Scandinavian Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Anskar’s Episcopal Church. To share a memory or condolence, visit olsonfh.com.