Harriett (Markham) Smith

Harriett Smith, 100, Bismarck, died September 6, 2009, at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center, Bismarck. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am Thursday at McCabe United Methodist Church, Bismarck, with Rev. Art Scanson officiating.

Harriett Josephine Markham was born June 11, 1909, in Mead, CO. She grew-up on the family farm near Mead, CO, with her four brothers. Harriett received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Colorado State College of Education at Greeley, CO. She began her teaching career at Jeffers School, east of Loveland, CO, for one year in a one-room school house; Mead Elementary for 12 years; and Poudre School district, R-1 teaching at Laurel School for 18 years; 2 years at a cottage school in South College Heights; and 6 years O’Dea School; touching the lives of approximately 1,170 students. Harriett married Clifford E. Smith on August 19, 1951.

 After 39 years of teaching school, Harriett retired in 1969, and moved to Bismarck, with her husband, Clifford E. Smith; where she volunteered in the Bismarck elementary schools helping children to read. Her hobbies have included tending roses, needlework, and traveling the Badlands with her husband. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford in 1996; her parents and her four brothers.

Harriett is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Dewey and Sharon Smith; her three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials are given to McCabe United Methodist Church, 1030 N 6th Street, Bismarck, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Notes: Harriett was actually born in Highlandlake, not Mead. She still have family living in the Highlandlake/Mead area.

This page was updated on October 17, 2009