Ethel (Fiscus) Smith

Ethel (Fiscus) Smith passed away April 20, 2017 at Fredonia Regional Hospital at age 95. Born May 8, 1921 in Fredonia to John Nelson and Viola (Bagby) Fiscus and graduated from Fredonia High School with the class of 1939. On February 3, 1941, she married Don L. Smith in Fredonia. They were married almost 62 years when he passed away on December 20, 2002.
In 1942, Don was inducted into the Air Force and during his tour of duty, if it was impossible to be with him, stayed with her parents in Fredonia, and worked for the Telephone Company.
In 1945, Don was discharged from the Service and they left Fredonia to live, first in Newton then Ottawa. In 1948, they settled in Wichita where they lived for almost 50 years. During that time, Ethel worked for Kansas Gas and Electric and in 1952 joined an Insurance Agency as Secretary where she remained for 30 years.
Retiring in 1982, they did extensive traveling in the U.S. and Canada, spending the winters mostly in Mesa, Arizona. In 1997, they sold out in Wichita and made Mesa their permanent residence. Upon Don’s passing, Ethel remained in Mesa until 2009, when she moved back to Fredonia, to be near family.
Survivors include nieces, nephews and cousins.
Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, April 24, 2017 at Fredonia Cemetery. Memorial remembrances are suggested to the American Heart Association and may be left or mailed to Wickham Family Funeral Home, 510 N. 7, Fredonia, KS 66736.