Jane Smith

Margaret Jane (Crooker) Smith, one of two children of Allen and Ada (Stone) Crooker, was born April 3, 1938, in Auburn, Nebraska. She attended Auburn schools and graduated from Auburn High School in 1956. She went on to study at Texas Women’s University in Denton, Texas, but returned home to attend the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

 On May 27, 1961, Jane married her equal and love of her life, Randel Smith, at the Auburn Christian Church. They made homes in southwest Iowa, rural Auburn, and Brownville. They would be blessed with seven children and be married for 61 years before Randel passed away on April 30, 2022.

 Jane’s motto in life came from Psalm 118:24: “This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Jane lived a purposeful life. She strived to make the most of every day by being kind, helping those in need, and loving her friends and family unconditionally. Even as an introvert, Jane never met a stranger. She never shied away from spontaneously inviting people she met on the street or read about in a newspaper into her home – which always resulted in lifelong friendships.

 Of all the accolades Jane received during her lifetime, her proudest accomplishment was being a Mom. Jane lived for her children. She loved each of them uniquely, but she always made sure she was fair in giving them opportunities in life to find their own happiness and success.

 Jane lent her many talents to her communities. She fondly recalled her years as the first woman manager of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce and as a journalist for the Nemaha County Herald. Other involvement in helping her communities ranged from volunteering with Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Nebraska and Teammates in the Auburn schools, to founding the Randolph (Iowa) Community Library. Jane, along with her husband Randel, was instrumental in the revitalization of Brownville as a cultural and tourist hub.

 She was active in numerous Brownville organizations, and she was a faithful member of the Brownville United Methodist Church. Her hobbies included cross country skiing, horseback riding, and hiking. Her favorite hobby, by far, was reading. In 2000, Jane purchased the former Brownville House restaurant and renovated it into the Lyceum Café and Bookstore. Jane spearheaded the campaign in 2003 to declare Brownville an official ‘Book Town’, making it one of 30 worldwide.

 Jane died peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at Long’s Creek Village in Auburn. She was preceded in death by her husband Randel, parents Allen and Ada, brother-in-law Don Norvell, and daughter Carrie Smith.

She will be missed with love by her sister Sue Norvell of Auburn; children and spouses Tony and Marilyn Smith of Omaha; Paul Smith of Omaha; James R., Jr. and Lisa Smith of Brownville; Kenny and Angelia Smith of Liberty, Missouri; Dr. Christina (PhD) and Derrick Chatman of Milledgeville, Georgia; Leya Smith of Auburn; grandchildren and spouses Thomas and Clarisa Smith, Robert Kaelin, Sandra and Jo-Anne Kaelin, Andrew Smith, Kyle Thompson, Evan Smith, Elizabeth Tut, Aiden Smith, and DJ Chatman; numerous great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.

Graveside Memorial Service will be held Thursday, June 20, 2024, 10:00 a.m. in Walnut Grove Cemetery at Brownville.  

In lieu of flowers and memorials, the family asks that you carry out acts of kindness in Jane’s memory.