- Date Of Birth: July 28, 1928
- Date Of Death: September 27, 2015
- State: Illinois
Berdella “Berdie” Wickwire Smith, 87, passed peacefully on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. Berdie was born July 28, 1928, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, daughter of Jim and Milla Wickwire. She attended school in Kenneth, Minnesota and graduated from Elmwood High School in Illinois. In 1946 she married the love of her life Fred Smith. They resided in Maquon, Illinois on a farm for many years before Berdie said we’re moving to town. She lived the remainder of her life in Galesburg, Illinois.
Berdella enjoyed ballroom dancing in her younger years. She played cards, dominoes and loved to golf. She was a member of United Methodist Women while in Maquon, Eastern Stars, Good Cheer, Democrat Women’s Club and was a member of First Presbyterian Church.
In addition to raising two daughters, Berdella had her own beauty salon. After moving to Galesburg, she worked at Knox County Sheriff’s Office for Rayder Peterson and then the Driver’s License Facility.
Berdella is survived by her sister, Inez Bevard and her husband JIm; brother, Doug Wickwire; brother, Bill Wickwire and wife Lois; daughter, Linda Johnson; daughter, Debbie Cummings and husband Bob; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
