Obituary of Mary Ellen Smith

Mary Ellen Smith, age 79 of McKinney Texas passed away on Saturday morning, March 13, 2021, at her home. Mary was born November 12, 1941, in Valley City, North Dakota, to father Alfred August and mother Gertrude Ellen Hansen. Mary grew up in North Dakota and graduated from Sanborn High School. After graduation, she moved with her best friend to Illinois. Prior to marrying and having her first child, she was a telephone operator with Illinois Bell. Mary loved family and gathering with friends. Her smile could always light up a room and she was always ready to celebrate holidays and her many friendships. Mary had many friends and was able to make new friends everywhere she went. After retiring to Arkansas with John, Mary began to cultivate her love of decorative painting. She and John traveled extensively from Alaska to the Panama Canal. She continued to travel, most recently to Italy. She is survived by her two daughters: Karin Bongratz, husband Paul and Tammy Hogan, husband Sean. She has three grandchildren: William Bongratz (Emily), Sara Bongratz Rose (Brendon), and Benjamin Hogan, and two great-grandsons: Vincent and Charlie. She is also survived by her sister Almira (Toopy) and two brothers Kenneth and Albert. She was preceded in death by her husband John, her sisters Gladys and Elaine, and brothers Robert, Norman, and Oscar. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, March 17, 2021, at 3:00 PM at Stonebridge United Methodist Church located at 1800 South Stonebridge Drive, McKinney Texas 75072. Mary will be interred at a later date at Peel Cemetary in Marion County, Arkansas next to her husband John.