Lola Terese Smith

Lola's Funeral Service can be seen here: https://vimeo.com/890352658

Lola's tribute video can be viewed here. https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/F7J4GWCD8QX4PYRD

Lola Terese Smith of Fargo, ND, went home to be with her precious Savior on November 28, 2023, at the age of 90.

She was born August 24, 1933, the daughter of the late Richard and Teresa Wilke in Chicago, IL. Raised in the Chicago suburb of River Forest, as a young girl, she demonstrated an interest and talent for ballet dancing and piano. She also enjoyed science classes and belonged to the Biology Club.

Lola attended Trinity High School in Oak Park, IL, where she discovered her calling to nursing. She pursued this calling at the College of St. Theresa in Winona, MN, and St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN (Mayo Clinic), graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in 1955.

Her education, combined with her desire to serve others, led her to a fulfilling career as a pediatric and surgical nurse, initially at Cook County Hospital in Chicago from 1957-1961.

In 1957, Lola married William B. Smith. After being blessed with two adopted children, Paul and Teresa (Terri), the couple moved to Elk Grove Village, IL. After several years as a full-time homemaker raising their young children, Lola returned to nursing on a part-time basis at Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove.

In 1972, she accepted a position as a nursing instructor at William Rainey Harper Community College in Palatine, IL, where she worked until her retirement in 1989. She loved working with young nursing students in the classroom and on the hospital floor and was a respected and beloved teacher.

Retirement opened new doors for volunteer work and the flexibility to travel with her husband Bill, whose work as an attorney for the American Medical Association (AMA) and World Medical Association (WMA) afforded an opportunity to see the world. The couple traveled to destinations such as Hong Kong, Thailand, Israel, and Switzerland.

After Bill's retirement in 1994, the couple moved to Waukesha, WI, where they enjoyed spending time with their daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren. During this time, Lola volunteered at the Waukesha Service Club and was active in their local church, St. Mary's Catholic Church.

In 2010 (following Bill's death in 2005), Lola moved to Fargo, ND, to be closer to her son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. Residing at Edgewood Vista Senior Living Community, she quickly became involved as a volunteer at the reception desk, greeting visitors with her warm smile, serving as an ambassador for new residents, caring for the chapel, and coordinating the bi-monthly Catholic mass. In 2013, she was honored to be nominated for Fargo-Moorhead Senior of the Year under the category of Community Involvement.

Lola's life and legacy was marked by her kindness, dedication to family and friends, service to others, and a strong commitment to her faith in Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior, and to her church. She will be cherished and missed by her family and friends.

She is survived by her children, Paul (Polly) Smith of Fargo, ND, Teresa (Joe) Como of Waukesha, WI; grandchildren, Angela (Daniel) Jacobson of Moscow, ID, Laura (Bobby) Laabs of Waukesha, WI, Sara Smith (fiancé Ethan Synstelien) of Anderson, SC, and Sam Smith of Fargo, ND; great-grandchild, Ruth Jacobson. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 48 years, Bill; and her brother and only sibling, Richard "Dick" Wilke in 2005.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are appreciated to The Perry Center and Emergency Food Pantry in Fargo, ND.

The family would like to express our thanks and our gratitude to the staff and residents of Edgewood Vista – mom's home for the past 13 years – and the medical team at Sanford Hospital and Hospice for their kind, compassionate care during her final days.