Velma Smith

Portal

Velma Smith of Portal ND, passed away on November 30th, 2025 at her son’s home in Concrete WA. She was 95 years old.

Velma was born in Minot, ND on June 27, 1930 to Harvey and Elsie Haxton of Woburn ND. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.

She married George Smith on May 5th, 1947. They had 3 children. Bill, Linda, and Tom. They started their married life in Bowbells ND where all their children were born, and then moved to Portal ND in 1958 where they lived for the rest of their happy and fulfilling lives. They held annual walleye fish frys in their backyard with the entire town and people from surrounding areas invited. What a great time everyone had! George passed away in 1984.

Velma worked at Union brokerage for 31 years, retiring in 1992. She loved her work and the people that she worked with.

Camping and fishing at Round Lake in Sask, Canada was also one of her favorite things to do

She was a person with many hobbies. Among them was quilting, candy making, scrapbooking family pictures, and playing bridge. She also loved reading and collecting Avon. She was an avid sports fan with an entire room in her house dedicated to sports memorabilia, mainly her beloved Cubs and Braves. A few other special teams also made the cut.

A famous saying between her and her close friends was when they would call each other and say, “I think I need an attitude adjustment” which either meant a cocktail hour or a trip to the casino.

She was proud to be a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and was very active in all the activities that they held and all the community events also.

Velma was an avid supporter of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s events and activities including the annual Christmas cookie bake. Family was very important to her.

Everyone loved to gather at her house for events as she had a way of making everyone feel special and at home. She was a very loving, caring and giving person and we feel honored to call her mom, mom-in-law, grandma, great-grandma, Aunt, and friend.

Velma leaves behind her son William Smith and his wife Lavinia, 5 grandchildren, Cindy (Dave) Wilson, Brady Smith, Brian Smith, Christie (Luke) Bagley, and Melody Smith. Also 8 great-grandchildren, Sarah Wilson, Dirk Wilson, Audrey Smith, Natalie Smith, Layne Bagley, Liam Bagley, Lincoln Bagley, Brennan (Elizabeth) Smith, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were Father Harvey Haxton, Mother Elsie Haxton, Daughter Linda Dahl, Son Tom Smith, Grandson Troy Smith and all of her siblings namely, Brothers Ormand Haxton, Kenny Haxton, and Harvey Haxton and Sisters Anna May Haxton, Marcella Bergstreser, Doris Cron, Helen Enget, RuthAnn Hatch and Janice LaCoe.

Velma’s wishes were to be buried in the Portal cemetery, Portal North Dakota. A celebration of life will be held in Portal ND in the summer of 2026. Arrangements have been entrusted to Mt. Baker Cremation 4131 Hannegan Rd Suite 106 Bellingham, WA 98226 www.MtBakerCremationSociety.com

Published by The Minot Daily News, December 5, 2025.