Lana P. Smith

Lana P. Smith (Turner), 74, of Rockford passed away surrounded by her family on October 7, 2017, at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. She was born on February 12, 1943, in Concordia, KS, the daughter of Paul and Velma (Duncan) Turner. She graduated from the University of Kansas in 1965 and married Maurice Smith on February 13, 1965, in Concordia, KS. She was employed as an elementary school teacher at many places over the course of her career, including Rolling Green Elementary in Rockford and Our Lady of the Pillar in St. Louis. Her biggest joy in the classroom was helping students learn to read and introducing them to her favorite children’s books. She was a proud member of Holy Family Catholic Church. Above all, she was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many.

She was a teacher at heart, and when her children were born she took time away from her career to become a teacher and mentor to them. She gave her kids the gift of her wisdom and skill, and she instilled in them a lifelong love of learning and desire to do good in the world. She loved reading (especially to her grandkids), planting flowers, finding the perfect gifts for people, decorating for all the holidays, and spending time with her family. She treasured the time she spent playing with her grandkids and spoiling them with love, laughter, and lots and lots of treats. She collected antiques and made friends wherever she went. She enjoyed traveling with her husband and friends to places such as Alaska, Australia, Russia, and Europe.

She is survived by her children, Stephanie (James) Koh, Brice (Melissa) Smith, and Eric (Talya) Smith; her grandchildren, Grant, Spencer, Emily, Ethan, and Xavier; sister-in-law, Myrna Proctor; sister in-law Beverly Smith; nieces and nephews, Stephen (Kelly) Smith, Chris Love, Deb (Bob) Harrison, Leanne (Steven) Parr, Kristin (Donnie Bohon) Smith, Alisa (Arnold) Valden, Tanya (Michael) McCue, and Erin (Dennis) Firment; and many grandnieces, grandnephews, and friends. Predeceased by her parents and husband.

A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, October 11, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church. A visitation will be held from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Road with a procession to Holy Family for Mass. Burial at Scandinavian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (https://donate.lls.org/lls/donate). Express online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com