BARBARA J. AHLSTROM SMITH

She was born March 6, 1932 in Marietta, Minnesota. Her early life was spent in Mankato, Minnesota where she attended high school and college. She was one of seven children of Delbert and Florence Ahlstrom. She was predeceased by her parents, brother Don, and daughter, Debbie Smith/Stein/Davis. She is survived by husband Judge Thomas Smith, sons, Michael, Scott, Mark, Kurt, Dan, Matt, and daughter, Denise Burke of Alpena, and brothers, Charles, Robert, Russ, Larry, and sister Mary. She leaves 24 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

When Barb was 20 she moved to Washington D.C. where she worked for the Navy Dept., was active in church, and volunteered at the U.S.O. where she met Tom, her future husband, who was in the Marines. She was married in August 1954 and helped Tom obtain his BS and Law degree.

They had five of their eight children when Tom finished law school. Barb and Tom bought a house in Westland, Michigan to raise their family. Her life can be best eulogized by one of her sons:

“My amazing mother passed away this morning at about 3 a.m. in Florida., two weeks after her 90th birthday. We think that she hung on to see all of her children one last time on her birthday. She was truly amazing. She was the toughest and sweetest person you would ever meet. She raised eight kids in a three-bedroom house and still had the heart to take in more kids from time to time. She lived most of her life with Parkinson’s, much of it in pain, with no complaints. She would talk with anyone and loved to help others. Volunteering at church, religious coordinator, teaching CCD and in Florida tutoring the immigrant children and volunteering at hospice. She attended every sporting event, graduation, sent out cards, and kept in touch with her 24 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was proud of them. She was unassuming and did what needed to be done. You lived a full life Mom. We love you and will miss you. Rest in Peace.”

The funeral mass (with ashes) will be held at All Saints Catholic Church in Alpena, Michigan, Thursday, June 30, 2022 at 11 a.m. A luncheon will follow at the church.