July 2, 1934 - March 8, 2021
It is with much love and great sadness that the family of Helen Virginia “Ginny” Smith (Lehenbauer) announce her passing on March 8, 2021 after a short illness. Ginny was born July 2, 1934 to Paul and Lena Lehenbauer in Marion County, Missouri. Ginny was an avid learner and attended Immanuel Lutheran School and Palmyra High School, then went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in Education at the University of Missouri in 1956. She began working as a teacher in the Denver Public School system upon graduation.
Ginny had the pleasure of working overseas as a teacher with the Department of Defense. Her assignments took her to Libya, Japan, and Germany. It was in Germany that she met her future husband Gerald “Jerry” Smith, who was also an educator for the Department of Defense. Mom and Dad were married August 6, 1963 at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany. They were blessed with 49 years of marriage before his death in 2013.
Ginny had the opportunity to travel extensively in addition to her work with the Department of Defense. She and Jerry spent their honeymoon in Europe. She spent time in Austria, where she was an exchange student with the 4H program. Ginny and Jerry eventually made Broomfield, CO home in 1964, where they resided until their respective deaths. Ginny said Colorado often reminded her of Austria with its majestic mountains. An active member of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, she volunteered there in a variety of capacities over the years. She supported Jerry’s career with the Adams County District 12 school system, and proudly raised their two children, Sandy and Michael.
Upon Jerry’s retirement in 1988, they enjoyed many camping trips with the entire family and were frequent attendees to many sporting events – both collegiate and professional. They were original Colorado Rockies season ticket holders and counted attending Rockies baseball games in the summer months as one of their favorite ways to spend time together over the years. Ginny joined the Beautiful Savior Thursday Bible study after Jerry’s death in 2013 and she greatly enjoyed her time every Thursday morning with that group. She regularly volunteered with the Broomfield Public Library and had a wonderful time there with her friends working in the “book room”. Over the years, Ginny always met the challenges of life with so much grace.
Ginny is survived by her daughter Sandy Smith (Westminster CO); her son Michael and his wife Reese (Broomfield CO); her sister Carolyn Lahenbauer (Westminster CO); her brother Paul Lehenbauer and his wife Mary (Hannibal MO); as well as nieces, nephews, and their children. She is preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Dorothy Meyer and Florence Frost. All of Ginny’s friends and family will cherish so many beautiful memories of times spent together and the amazing life she led. She will always be an inspiration and joy to each and every one.
