Ilene Smith, 77, of Fort Dodge, died November 8, 2025, at the Marian Home.

She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, a fantastic nurse and a humble fighter who battled her health challenges over the years with courage and grace.

Ilene Marie Franke, daughter of Norman and LaVerle (Brand) Franke, was born in Fremont, NE, on October 3, 1948. She graduated from Fremont High School and received her nursing degree from Immanuel Hospital in Omaha, NE, and a bachelor’s degree from Midland College.

Ilene met Marty Smith on a blind date November 10, 1969, while he was home on leave from the military. After that date she had told her mother that she was going to marry him. Ilene married Marty 53 years ago on November 11, 1972. It was opening day of pheasant season and the day each of their teams played, Huskers vs. Cyclones, the game ended in a tie. Their birthdays, being 6 days apart, always gave them reason to celebrate big. They most recently celebrated by fulfilling her lifelong dream of seeing her favorite Beatle, Paul McCartney, in concert.

The couple made their home and raised their family of 3 daughters in Fort Dodge. Ilene was very proud of her children and grandchildren, their biggest supporter in all their activities and sports. She loved to scrapbook, do word searches, and golf. Her handmade gifts of cross stitches and afghans will be cherished by her loved ones. Ilene enjoyed traveling, golf weekends, vacation time in Cancun, riding their Harley and going to Sturgis and downtime watching “Price is Right” and Lifetime movies.

Ilene was employed with Trinity Regional Medical Center, working in various positions over the years. After 39 years of nursing, she retired in 2013 due to her health. Her legacy of nursing continues with her daughters and granddaughter, who are also practicing nurses.

Survivors include her husband Marty, her daughters Angie (Tony) Totten, Becca (Greg) Bock, and Jodi Smith, grandchildren Emma, Jacob, Olivia, Hilton, Quinton, Gavin, Brooke, Cael, and Lane, and her brother Marv (Chris) Franke of Omaha, NE.

She was preceded in death by her parents Norman and LaVerle (Brand) Franke, her infant siblings Lois and Ronald.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at Gunderson Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Trinity United Methodist Church. Private interment will be held at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed towards (ECD) Erdheim-Chester Disease research, Susan G. Komen, or University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The Smith family would like to extend their appreciation for the exceptional care Ilene received from TRMC, the Marian Home and UnityPoint Hospice.

Source: https://www.messengernews.net/obituaries/2025/11/ilene-smith/