Rosella Smith

Minot

Rosella E. Smith, 87, Minot, passed away on Thursday, September 4, 2025, in a Minot hospital.

Rosella Elizabeth Haberlock was born on March 24, 1938, a daughter of Andrew and Lena (Walters) Haberlock on the family farm, near Granville, ND. She was raised and educated in the Granville area.

In 1956, Rosella was united in marriage to Ted Austin, Jr. They made their home in Minot, where Rosella operated an in-home daycare. To this union six children were born. The couple later divorced.

Following the closure of the daycare, Rosella began working for JC Penney. In 1977, she went to work at St. Joseph’s Hospital, where she was a switchboard operator for 28 years, retiring in 2005.

On January 8, 1986, Rosella was united in marriage to William B. “Bill” Smith in Minot. They continued to live in Minot. William passed away December 3, 1998.

Rosella enjoyed reading, word search, and listening to Mass.

She was a member of St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church, Minot.

Those Who Shared In Her Life: Children: Debra (Mike) Chappo, Cindy (Bryan) Olson, Bill Austin, Paula (Mike) Cepero, Mark Austin; 11 grandchildren;15 great-grandchildren. Several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

Rosella was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bill; son, Ted III; siblings, Frank, Andrew, Edward, Joseph, Lyle, Kathryn, and Magdalene

Visitation: Thursday. September 11, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, September 12, 2025, 10:00 a.m. at St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church, Minot. The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed and may be viewed on Rosella’s web page on the funeral home website.

Burial: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.

Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot

Published by The Minot Daily News, September 8, 2025.