Erna Emma Amalia (Frickenschmidt) Smith was born December 18, 1927 to August and Mary (Steinert) Frickenschmidt at Fairmont, Oklahoma. She departed this life August 27, 2009 at the age of 81.

Erna grew up on her family's farm near Fairmont, Oklahoma. She attended school at Skeleton Valley, Fairmont, and Pioneer.

Erna married Daniel "Danny" Lee Smith March 23, 1947 in Enid, Oklahoma. Oral Roberts, little known at that time, performed the ceremony. They moved to a farm near Vici in July, 1947. To this union, five children were born: daughters; Lavonne, LaDonna and Penny; and sons, Mark and Max.

We're all familiar with the saying, "I feel like I've been hit by a Mack truck." Erna is one of probably a very limited number of people who has literally been hit by a Mack truck and survived to tell what it really feels like! We were blessed to have her with us another twenty years.

Erna devoted her life to working beside her husband on their farm. For most of their working years, they raised wheat and beef cattle. Danny bought the baby calves, and Erna kept them alive; many a local farmer would call her first when they had a sick calf. Long after most people started buying their milk at the grocery store, Erna insisted on having a milk cow for the fresh milk, homemade ice cream, and butter she enjoyed. Until only a few months ago, she also maintained a flock of laying hens selling eggs to the neighbors and saving the whites for the angel food cakes her family enjoyed so much – especially topped with fresh strawberries from her strawberry patch. Erna was well known throughout the community for her strong work ethic, so it is no surprise raising a large garden and canning the produce would be a good way to spend her extra time. She and Danny also enjoyed a good game of pitch with neighbors and family.

Erna was preceded in death by her parents, August and Mary Frickenschmidt; son, Max Smith; brothers, Walter Frickenschmidt and Clarence Frickenschmidt; and sister, Ora Walker. She is survived by her loving husband Danny Smith of Vici, Oklahoma; son Mark Smith and wife Jane of Tulsa, Oklahoma; daughters, Lavonne Daniels and husband Chuck of Chico, Texas; LaDonna Kleuser and husband Bob of Woodward, Oklahoma; and Penny Kleuser and husband Kenny of Mooreland, Oklahoma; 15 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, other family and many dear friends.

Contributions may be made to the Vici Nursing Home or Sunnyside Cemetery.