Linda Sue (Russell) Smith was born March 17, 1947, in Omaha, to Lyle and Joy (Berger) Russell and passed away Sept. 17, 2022, in Grand Island, at the age of 75 years and 6 months.
Linda attended and graduated from South High School in Omaha, with the Class of 1965. She met her husband, Donald Smith, when they were young kids at the roller rink and got married several years later on June 11, 1966, in Omaha. To this union, three children were born. Linda bartended for many years while also taking care of her children until the family moved to Texas in 1976. The family moved to Ulysses in 1987 and purchased “Smitty’s Bar and Grill” in Dwight. After they sold the bar in 2006, she retired from MetroGroup. Linda loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She also enjoyed gardening and playing slot machines.
Linda is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald Smith; daughter, Nicole Smith; brother, Lyle D. “Butch” Russell; and parents-in-law, Donald and Melvina Smith.
Survivors cherishing her memory include her sons, Greg and wife, April Smith, Pleasant Dale, and Jeff Smith, Lincoln; grandchildren, Zachary and wife, Callie Smith, Beatrice, Cameron and wife, Tess Furasek, Valparaiso, Katie Smith, Pleasant Dale, and Desi Valentine, Lincoln; great-grandchildren, Kaleb and Jaxon, Lincoln; sister, Sharon Wadland, Ulysses; sisters-in-law, Bonnie Hemenez, North Carolina, and Norene Graham, Seward; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation is from 1 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, at Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home in Seward with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. A private family service and interment are planned. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Smith family for future designations. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.zabkafuneralhome.com.
