Marcella Smith

Marcy lived with her mom and grandma, Arla Yoder in Topeka, Indiana while her dad, Edwin was in the U.S. Army. When her dad returned from the service, her parents moved their family to Minot, North Dakota. When Marcy was in the 7th grade, her family moved to Rugby and she completed her education, graduating from Rugby High School, the class of 1976. After graduation, she worked for the local grocery store and that is where she met Doug Smith. The two of them moved to Tacoma, Washington for a year before returning to North Dakota. Marcy and Doug were united in marriage on April 15, 1978 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Rugby. They lived in Devils Lake for over ten years and Marcy worked for Bell Drug in the pharmacy department. While in Devils Lake, they enjoyed fishing, camping and she kept a flower garden as well as many indoor plants. The couple packed up, moved and made their home in Minot, including a trailer full of her indoor plants. Marcy began her banking career, first working for Midwest Federal Bank, then most of her career at 1st Western Bank as a loan officer in investments.

Marcy loved animals, especially her pet birds, cats and dogs. In her younger years, she enjoyed riding horses and has always been an animal lover. She enjoyed camping trips with Doug, collecting vintage/antique furniture, following her nieces and nephews in their events, whether it be weekends at the drag races and derby’s or them staying at her house. Her family was very important to her, she considered her nieces and nephews her children and enjoyed any time spent with them. She was a social butterfly and loved going to any gathering. It could be a birthday party, super bowl party, or holiday, she loved getting together, was always involved and would participate to its fullest. Time spent with her friends was also cherished, she enjoyed having dinner and drinks with them. She was always happy, with a smile on her face and a bright light in any room she entered.

Marcy took pride in her home, was an avid flower gardener, kept a pristine yard, whether it be mowing and trimming in the summer or shoveling the snow in the winter…it was always kept clean. She loved reading. She would read on the boat while Doug fished, during her lunch break or in the evenings at home. She found peace in reading and walking. She would find time to walk wherever she was and made sure her dogs got their exercise as well. In November of 2024, her mind was declining and she moved to Mapleview until November 2025, when she moved to Benedictine Living Community in Garrison and was there for a little over a month. She was a bright light to those who knew her, lived a blessed life and will be dearly missed.

Marcy is survived by her husband of almost 48 years, Doug of Minot; father, Edwin Yoder of Rugby; siblings, Michael (Patti) Yoder of Minot, Mark (Marilyn) Yoder of Rugby and Mickolette “Mickey” (Kent) Jaeger of Minot; in-laws, Sandy (Dean) Malzahn of Fargo, Teresa (Josh) Bohl of Carrington and Alex Smith of Devils Lake; many nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her mother, Marla; parents-in-law, Ed and Darlys Smith and brother-in-law, Gary Smith.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 15 at First Lutheran Church in Rugby with lunch and fellowship to follow in the church basement. Pastor Sharon Baker, officiating. Burial will take place in the spring in the Persilla Watts Cemetery in Rugby.

Arrangements with the Anderson Funeral Home of Rugby. Online registry: www.funeralsbyanderson.com

Published by The Minot Daily News, January 10, 2026.