BUCKLIN – Esther Estella Smith, 100, died Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at Hilltop House, Bucklin.

She was born April 12, 1916 at Preston, Kansas, the daughter of Ephriam and Marrie (Bortz) Hoover. She lived on a farm near Preston until her family moved to Ford, Kansas. She attended school in Ford and was a 1934 graduate of Ford High School.

She married Russell Lee Riegel on March 24, 1935. He lost his life in a plane crash on December 24, 1950. She continued to manage the farm and on May 15, 1959 she married Alfred M. Smith. He preceded her in death on November 5, 1992. For several years she worked as a clerk at the Ford Post Office and later as a secretary for Bucklin School District 459 until retiring in 1978.

She was a member of the Bucklin Presbyterian Church, Ford Supper Club and Blue Jeans Card Club. She loved to sewing, hand quilting, and gardening. Following Alfred's death she lived on her own in Ford until she turned 80 when she moved to Park Plaza Towers in Dodge City. She was active in that community until age 93 when she moved into Bucklin's Hilltop House where she was very well cared for until the day of her death.

Survivors include: her son, Robert C. Riegel, Beaumont, California; her step-son, Larry Smith, Dodge City; 5 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Funeral service will be 12:00 pm Saturday, July 23, 2016 at Minnis Mortuary, Bucklin, with Scott Tilley officiating. Burial will be in the Bucklin Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:00 am to service time Saturday at Minnis Mortuary.

The family suggests memorials to Hilltop House in care of Minnis Mortuary, P.O. Box 516, Bucklin, Kansas 67834.