Donna Mae (Polka) Smith of Stilwell, Oklahoma, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on May 30, 2017.

Donna was born on November 12, 1933, in Tama, Iowa, to Albert and Joyce Polka. She grew up in Tama and graduated from Tama High School in 1951. Donna married Bill Smith on December 12, 1952, and together they farmed and raised their 5 children on a farm southwest of Tama until they moved to the Stilwell, Oklahoma area in 1981. She managed Sequoyah Loans from 1982 until her retirement in 1995.

Donna was a loving wife and mother who took a great deal of pleasure from caring for her husband and family. Her cooking and baking were legendary among her children and grandchildren. Thanksgiving was her favorite holiday as the family grew and multiplied by marriage and grandchildren. Donna knew everyone’s favorite dish and made sure it was prepared. The dinner eventually got so large that it had to be moved from her home to the Regency Innin Stilwell. Besides cooking, her hobbies included rug making and Sudoku puzzles. She was gifted with babies and they would cheer up in her loving arms. Donna trusted Christ as her Savior in 1959. She was active in the local church from that time on. For many years she played both the piano and organ at First Baptist Church in Tama, Iowa. At the time of her death she was a member of Rocky Mountain Bible Church in Stilwell, Oklahoma.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Joyce Polka .

She is survived by her husband of 64 years: Bill Smith, of Stilwell, Oklahoma; her sister: Betty (Arnold) Chantland of Ames, Iowa; her children: Deb (Bob) West of Ames, Iowa; Becky (John) Reger of Ames, Iowa; John (LeighAnn) Smith of Katy, Texas; Tom (Karen) Smith of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Beth (Dallas) Essary of Stilwell, Oklahoma. She has 17 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Graveside services were held at Stilwell Cemetery on Saturday, June 3 at 10:00 AM with a memorial service following at Rocky Mountain Bible Church. Memorials may be directed to New Tribes Missions.