Joan DeLyle Smith, 89

Joan DeLyle Smith of Columbia Falls, Montana, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend died peacefully on Sunday morning, June 22, 2025 at the age of 89.  She was surrounded by her family who loves her without measure.  She departed her earthly life just the way she lived it: with strength, courage and grace.  The family will miss her forever.  She was a source of strength, guidance, but mostly love.

Born on Jan. 23, 1936 in Sidney, Montana, to Roscoe O. Smith and Marjorie E. (Huber) Smith, Joan was the second of five children and the only daughter.  Her father’s work brought the family to the Flathead Valley in 1947.  Joan graduated from Whitefish High School in 1953.  She attended one semester of college at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington and then returned home to be close to her family.  She found work out at the Anaconda Aluminum Plant in Columbia Falls, where she met her husband-to-be, Lee W. Smith.  They were married on September 23, 1961.  Joan and Lee had three daughters – Marcy (Lynn) Hall, Nancy (Pat) Seleski and Carol (Tom) Ladenburg.

Joan devoted her whole life to raising her daughters and being active in her extended families’ lives, her church and her community.  She was someone who people were attracted to – she had a close-knit circle of friends that included her Whitefish High School classmates, her Church Women United partners, her bridge club ladies, her PEO sisters and her fellow parishioners at church.

The Christian faith was at the core of who Joan was and the way she lived her life.  Always prayerful, always turning to God first no matter the situation and modeling for those around her a life of faith and commitment to our Lord.  She was also a strong Christian sister to many of her friends, always there to lend an ear or a shoulder or help any way she could.

Joan is survived by her husband Lee, daughters Marcy (Lynn) Hall, Nancy (Pat) Seleski, Carol (Tom) Ladenburg, brother Edwin (Margie) Smith, grandchildren Tyler (Cassie) Ladenburg, Jace (Juliana) Ladenburg, Kelsey Ladenburg, Samantha Ladenburg, Matthew Rose, Morgan (Calvin) Williams, great-grandchildren Kamryn Ladenburg, Eli Ladenburg, Keaton Ladenburg, Tate Ladenburg, Matthew Rose, Bentley Rose, Harper Williams, Teagan Williams and numerous nieces and nephews.

 There will be a service to honor one of heaven’s newest saints on Monday, July 14, 2025 at 11 a.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 2048 Conn Road, Columbia Falls, Montana.  Following the service there will be a reception at the community hall adjacent to the church.  The family will be available one hour prior to the service for visiting and prayers.  Interment will occur later this summer by the family.

Expressions of sympathy may be made in Joan’s memory to The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (alzfdn.org).

Joan has now started her everlasting life in the Kingdom of God as a member of the angels, archangels and all the company of heaven.  Well done, good and faithful servant.

To send online condolences please visit Joan’s tribute page at columbiamortuary.com. Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is caring for the family.