Graveside service for Tonia Smith will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church (rural Concord) on Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 9 a.m. with Pastor Willie Bertrand officiating.
A celebration of life service was held on June 24, 2022 at the Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Tonia Marie Smith was born in Creighton, Nebraska on July 10, 1963 to Loren and Judith Horstmann and died June 16, 2022 in Delta Junction, Alaska. She grew up on a farm at Winnetoon, Nebraska with her loving parents and siblings, and graduated in 1981 from Creighton High School.
After high school she was accepted into college at Bryan Medical School in Lincoln, along with the University of Nebraska. She met her husband, Randy, in 1984 and they were married later that same year. Their marriage of 38 years was blessed with three children, Brooke, Garrett and Brett. The Smith family made the big leap to Alaska in December of 1999. Tonia loved taking her children on every adventure Alaska had to offer.
Tonia loved her cat, Nick; she was an avid antique collector and enjoyed spending time gardening. She was deeply committed to her family and friends and was a proud grandmother. She will be deeply missed and always remembered as a compassionate and loving mother. Tonia was passionate about her profession, dedicating nearly 35 years of service as a nurse. She also volunteered on countless boards and committees, supporting her family and the community.
Survivors include her husband, Randal Smith; daughter, Brooke (Dan) Gazzano; sons, Garrett (Amber) Smith and Brett Smith; grandchildren, Macy and Raegan Smith; parents, Judith and Marvin Krugman; sister Mary Zuhlke; brother, John (Angie) Horstmann; brothers-in-law, Dean (Marlene) Smith, Lin (MaryLou) Smith, and Dennis (Theresa) Smith; and sisters-in-law, Mary Smith, Gayle Smith, Chris Micek, Sharleen Smith, June (Bob) Grosvenor, Susan Smith and Shellee (Jeff) Heinemeyer.
She was preceded in death by her father, Loren Horstmann; her parents-in-law, Desmond and Martha Smith; brothers-in-law, Richard Smith, Des Smith, Terry Smith, Alan Smith, Bob Smith, Doug Smith and Bill Micek; and sister-in-law, Marsha Smith.
