Ilene Rebecca Smith

Our dear Mother, Ilene Rebecca (Patton) Smith passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 17th, 2024 surrounded by loved ones. She was 87. Ilene was the oldest daughter born to Marsh Harold Patton and Mamie Viola Hoffman on February 15th, 1937 in Chanute, KS. Ilene attended Chanute Elementary School, then graduated from Royster Middle School and went on to receive a diploma from Allen Community College in 2001. At age 6, her father passed away and she helped raise her younger siblings while her mother went to work.

Later she met her husband Robert Smith Sr. of Piqua, KS. She couldn’t help but be smitten when he picked her up to go on a date in his flashy, decked out ford car. They married on February 8th,1956 at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Chanute, KS. They started their family in Iola, KS and later moved onto a 160 acre farm near Piqua, KS and raised 4 children there. Ilene’s early years on the farm weren’t easy, as she helped with chores and worked in the fields, alongside her husband. Somehow she still made time to make a nice meal for the hired hands and get her children fed and ready for bed at the end of the day. In her later years, she became a caregiver for her grandchildren and eventually took care of the elderly in their homes, as they could no longer care for themselves.

Her many good character qualities included courage, integrity, honesty, reliability, loyalty and generosity. Ilene made friends easily with those of equal character. Her greatest passion was to prepare delicious meals for her family. Her legendary chicken and noodles, fried chicken, meatloaf and potato salad, as well as her tasty pies, will not be forgotten anytime soon.

Memories made with her children were taking them fishing, having picnics on a blanket under a shade tree, playing games with them, and having milk and cookies waiting for them after school.

Ilene’s Grandies were treasured by her and they will always remember her special spaghetti, made just how they liked it, helping her bake cookies, playing board games with them, (she was a champion at checkers), and they loved listening to her stories of days gone by.

She has created many beautiful paintings with water colors, and acrylics. She was fond of Lilacs, Irises, and Lillies. Her love for photography shows in the many photos she has taken of the countryside and the flint hills. She loved drawing, sewing, embroidery, reading, puzzles, gardening, canning, listening to music, bird watching, visiting with friends and family, and playing bingo. She adored singing Christmas carols and loved when her children sang along.

Ilene was preceded in death by her husband, both parents, and infant son Keith Brian; Grandchildren Joshua and Jacob Smith; Sisters Twila Barker, Mary (Patton) Hill, Ellen (Patton) Preston, Susan (Patton) Edwards; Brothers Frank Barker, Albert Barker, Twins, Ronald and Donald Miller.

Ilene is survived by her Children: Marsha Ring, Rebecca Aguirre, Joseph Smith, Robert Smith Jr

Her only surviving sibling is sister, Dee Irvine.

Along with many nieces and nephews.

Grandchildren: Heather Ring, Kelly Ring, Vernon Ring, Kourtenay Sherwood, Felicitas Klubek, Ilennia Aguirre, Clarissa West, Sabra Stockebrand, Samuel Aguirre, Ashley Meyer, Jessica Davis

Great Grandchildren: Ashlyn, Arianna, Lexi, Anya, Lilly, Lauren, Jace, Kaden, Jaxton, Layna, Leesia, Emery, Jaxson, Lincoln

Great Great Grandchildren: Cayde, Axel, Leon

Reciting of the Rosary will be held on Wednesday, November 27th, 2024 at St. John's Catholic Church, 310 Jefferson St., Iola, Kansas 66749 at 10:00am with Mass of Christian Burial immediately at 10:30am. Interment will take place at Highland Cemetery. Funeral arrangements have be entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home in Chanute, Kansas.