Marie Helen (Fery) Smith

Marie was born to Fred and Luella Fery on December 25, 1930 in Stayton, Oregon. She was one of 4 children that grew up on the family farm, growing beans, corn and strawberries in the fertile soil along the Santiam River. She attended Catholic School through the elementary years and then Stayton High. After Graduation she attended Oregon College of Education and due to a teacher’s shortage was awarded a 3 year teaching certificate. She was recruited by Crook County Schools and accepted a job teaching Junior and Senior High PE. Being only 21 when she started teaching High School, and finishing her teaching career in 1st grade, she was teaching the grandchildren of her first students. She was once selected as Crook County Teacher of the Year. She taught at Crook County High School, Crook County Junior High, Crooked River Elementary, Ochoco Elementary and Paulina School during her career.

On July 11, 1951 she married a young local cowboy, horseshoer, logger and truck driver named Art Smith. They had three sons, Daniel, Douglas and Stephen. Home was a small farm on Gumpert Road where they had room for Horses, milk cows, chickens, turkeys, ducks and pigs. Art made sure they had plenty of horses, and also would bring home bottle calves to raise. At times Marie was mixing milk replacer in 5 gallon buckets to feed the many calves that were out in the barn. She would do this before hauling a car full of kids to school, and many times she would take the neighbors kids to school with hers. She was very proud of her education, and in the late 1970’s, completed her schooling and went back to then Western Oregon University to finish her work on a Bachelor’s Degree. She was excited to finish it.

In 1980, Art accepted a job as manager of the LS Ranch in Post, and Marie followed him to Post. The LS ranch was 38 miles east of Prineville and about 17 miles from Paulina. Marie accepted a position teaching first through third grade at Paulina School. She also was Art’s support when moving cattle and branding, keeping the many friends and family that came up to help fed. She was truly a ranch wife. After her time teaching in Paulina she transferred back to Ochoco Grade school. She would drive the 38 miles each way daily from September to June. She bought a smaller car, but it didn’t help her miss deer. One year she hit a deer, got the car fixed and hit another about a week later. She was one of Gordon Shortreed’s best customers!

In late 1986, Art was diagnosed with cancer and after rehabbing in Prineville returned to the LS for a short period before the cancer came back, and took him in August of 1987. With Marie’s home once again on the small farm on Gumpert Rd, she spent time caring for her grandchildren, and watching the family grow.

In 1992 she married a ‘crush’ from her high school years, Robert Schifferer. He moved from his Cherry Farm in Turner to the home on Gumpert Road. Together they travelled to see the leaves change color in New England during the fall and cruised through the Panama Canal and visited South and Central America. Bob and Marie enjoyed trips to Reno and Warm Springs to play the slot machines. They were married for 21 years when he passed due to complications from a stroke.

Marie was a lifelong member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Prineville. She was active in the Alter Society for most of her time in Prineville. She enjoyed growing flowers for the alter in her garden. Marie also was a volunteer for the SMART program at Ochoco and later Stiens Pillar Elementary Schools. In 1998 Marie was honored as the Grand Marshall of the Crooked River Roundup in recognition of her work in support of that event. Marie was very active in the community, participating in City League Softball and Volleyball. She also was the leader of a 4H beef club.

Marie’s home was always filled with good cookies and love. She welcomed many youngsters who would become a part of the family. Included in that group are Pat McCabe, Larry Koops,

Jerry and Geri Lynn George, Rob Katzenburger, Rick Kludt and the late Tony Edwards. They and others will always be a part of the extended Smith Family.

Marie never liked being alone. Up to the time of her passing, she waited for Dan, Doug, Carol or Steve to come and visit. We tried to be there every day. She was always excited when her friends or others would stop in or call. She dearly loved company. A visit at Marie’s was never brief. She loved company!

Marie Smith-Schifferer was proceeded in death by her parents, Fred and Luella Fery, her first husband Arthur James Smith, Her second Husband, Robert Schifferer, and brothers Leroy Fery and Gerald Fery. She is survived by her Sister Laura Gilmore of Albany, Sons Daniel and Douglas (Carol) both of Prineville and Son Stephen (Shelly) of Eugene. Grandson Joel Smith (Tara) of Eugene, Granddaughter Emily Smith (Joey) of Eugene, Grandson Justin Smith (Ashley), Grandson Cody Smith (Kara), Grandson Zach Smith (Cassett) all living in Prineville. Marie had 5 great grandchildren at the time of her passing (Jensen, Quinn, Russell, Nolan and McCall).

Marie was extremely proud of her life and the legacy she built in 93 wonderful years of life. She was proud of the family she raised and the accomplishments they achieved. She was very proud of the fact that all of her 5 Grandchildren attended college and all attained a minimum of a Bachelors degree. Grandma paid the tuition! It truly was a life to celebrate and remember.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, that you make donations in her memory to the Start Making a Reader Today (SMART) program at Steins Pillar Elementary School or to the Crook County Historical Society.

A recitation of the Rosary will be held at 7:00 PM on Thursday, July 25, 2024

A Funeral Mass will be held July 26, 2024 at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Prineville. Everyone is invited to join the family for a reception at St. Joseph’s Parish Hall following the service.