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Alice Wandling

Alice Laura Matz Smith Wandling, 97, died Dec. 21, 2006.

Born June 5, 1909, in an adobe house on the Albert and Julianna Matz family farm in Marion County, Alice was the 11th of 12 children.

Alice was a very bright child who spoke only German until, at five years old, she started first grade. It didn't take her long to become bilingual and advance at a rapid pace. At 10 years old, she began piano lessons at Tabor College. Her father preferred to have Alice drive herself in the new family auto. He was still more comfortable with horse and buggy! This began two of Alice's great loves, travel and music. Playing the piano and organ was a gift to Alice and one of Alice's gifts to the world.

Her life changed forever when she was introduced to a handsome young school teacher, Duff Daniel Smith. (She had actually admired him from afar at a cakewalk). After a "whirlwind courtship" of three months, they married in November 1926, and were married 26 years until his untimely death in 1953.

They had three children, Duff D. Smith Jr., Richard E. Smith, both now deceased, and Elizabeth Smith Crowley.

Alice and Duff survived blizzards and the Dust Bowl in the Panhandle of Oklahoma, the Great Depression of the 1930s, and sacrifices made during World War II.

In 1954, widowed, Alice moved her family to Seattle, Wash., where she went to work for the Washington State Ferry System.

In 1968, she married Kenneth D. Wandling. Together they shared their retirement years, enjoying travel in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. They also went to Germany to meet descendants of Albert and Julianna's families who had not immigrated to the U.S. and made long-lasting friendships there.

Although Alice spent the last six months of her life in a care center in Washington, she still found great joy in living and giving. Every Friday, she played the piano for other residents and endeared herself to both residents and staff.

Alice's legacy of faith, love, the joy of music and her zest for life will remain an inspiration for her husband Kenneth, her daughter Elizabeth, 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, four great-great- grandchildren, and all those who have had the gift of knowing her.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to Alice's Memorial Music Fund, Zion Lutheran Church, 106 N. Lincoln, Hillsboro.

— paid obituary

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