Austa Rose Smith
July 12, 1924 – Nov. 16, 2017
Longtime Alaskan resident Austa Rose Smith, 93, died Nov. 16, 2017.
She passed into eternity on while living at PrimRose Retirement Community in Wasilla, Alaska, the family said. She was on Mat-Su Hospice care.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017 at King’s Chapel, 1701 N. Lucille St. Wasilla, AK. Viewing will be at 10 a.m. A luncheon will be served at 2 p.m. at Sophia’s Cafe. She will be buried next to her husband at Ft. Richardson Military Cemetery.
Austa was born July 12, 1924 in Comstock, Nebraska to Richard and Lula May Emerson. She was one of 10 children. She graduated from Marsing, Idaho in 1943. She received her certificate in Biblical Literature from Northwest Bible Institute in 1947.
She married Donald James Smith on Sept. 13, 1947 in Marsing, Idaho.
Her and her husband came to Alaska in 1969 from Enterprise, Oregon and moved to Homer, Alaska. Austa and Don had seven children and were expecting their eighth as they moved up the Alcan Highway. They took the pastorate at the Homer Assembly of God church, sight unseen. They pastored this church until inistry.
Austa and Don moved to Palmer in 2003 to join their daughter’s family, John and Joyce Moropoulos. Austa moved to PrimRose Retirement Community in 2012.
Austa enjoyed people, laughter, and lots of excitement. She was an avid reader, poem writer, and loved to study the Bible. She also liked to paint, crochet and play Scramble. She spent many hours praying for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She would love to have great conversations over the phone and enjoyed large family gatherings. Her favorite ones where birthday parties and holiday dinners. She would then like to challenge anyone to a game of Scramble. She was sure to win by several points.
Austa’s family wrote, “Austa’s love for her children was fierce and strong. She lived a life of joy, generosity, and was an inspiration to hundreds that know her. She was a mother to many and welcomed everyone around her table for a meal and a prayer.”
She is survived by David and Dottie Smith of Pocatello, Idaho and their four daughters and sons-in-law and eight grandchildren; Donald Jr. and Nicole Smith of Portland, Oregon and their 10 children, in-laws and two grandchildren; John and Kathy Smith of Hermiston, Oregon and daughter Mindy and husband; Darrell and Julie Vaagan/Smith of Forrest City, Iowa and their three children and one daughter-in-law; Joyce and John Moropoulos of Palmer, Alaska and their three children, one daughter-in-law and three grandchildren; Richard and Lisa Smith of Lake Stevens, Washington with their three children, one son-in-law and one grandchild; Donna and George Bartolome of Honolulu, Hawaii with their two daughters and one son-in-law, and Christine and Steven Knouse of Seattle, Washington with their two children.
The family ask that any cards, notes or remembrances be sent to the Moropoulos home at PO Box 3384 Palmer, AK 99645 or brought to the memorial service. Funeral arrangements are through Legacy Funeral Home of Wasilla.
