Vania Seely Smith July 3, 2024
Vania Seely Smith 74; wife, mother, grandmother and friend passed away peacefully at her home in Grace, Idaho July 3, 2024. She was born in Twin Falls, and raised and educated in Emery and Castle Dale Utah. She was the daughter of Marva and Henry Seely. As a child she loved to play with her sisters; Sandy, Terri and Cathie and cousins “down in the desert”. She especially loved spending time with her Grandpa Keele.
Vania loved that she was raised on a ranch and treasured the time she spent riding horses and managing cattle.
She graduated from Emery County High School as a Spartan. She was active in gymnastics and horse 4-H.
At the wedding of her sister Terri, Vania caught and captured the eye and heart of the brother of the groom, David R Smith. They were married April 26, 1969 until David’s passing in 2018. They made their home in Grace Idaho. They were sealed together and to their children June 26, 1979 for time and all eternity in the Logan Utah Temple.
Their lives were blessed with 4 children: C. Nichole, Trudi and the twins Jeremy and Jodi. As a family, there were many camping trips, days picking huckleberries, ventures harvesting and hauling wood in Ol’ Blue, Dave’s short bed Ford 150, bowling, playing cards, club and church.
In 1982, Vania entered the work force in the banking industry. She worked for First Bank and Trust, West One and finally US Bank. After a successful career , she retired as a loan and investment officer. Her retired years she spent in Utah on the ranch and helping her mom and dad until they passed.
Vania was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She held many positions, loved her ward members, neighbors and attending the temple.
She is preceded in death by her stalwart, loyal and faithful husband, David R Smith, his brother Ellis Smith, her parents Marva and Henry, her in-laws Russell and Anna, her sisters Sandy and Cathie and many aunts and uncles.
She is survived by her children C. Nichole (John) Christensen of Pocatello Idaho, Trudi Smith of Soda Springs Idaho, Jeremy Smith of Troy Alabama, Jodi (Eli) Horsley of Soda Springs and 15 grandchildren that she loved like crazy, and her sister Terri Smith, also of Grace Idaho.
She will be missed but is reunited with many loved ones.
Funeral Services were held Wednesday July 10, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Grace LDS Stake Center, 404 N. Main Street. There will be a viewing prior to the funeral from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Donations in her name may be made to the Hope Lodge or the Huntsmans Cancer Institute
