Hazel Lambert Ginger Smith, 101

Hazel Lambert Ginger Smith, 101, passed away on Saturday April 24, 2010, at her home in Missoula. Hazel was born on March 2, 1909, at her parents ranch in Big Cottonwood Creek, S.D. She attended school at mostly a one-room country schoolhouse in South Dakota. After graduating from high school, Hazel was offered an assistant teaching job in South Dakota. This led to her being given a job in Bismarck, N.D., as matron of the Indian Girls School. While working there, she met the love of her life, Guy Ervin Smith. They were married in 1937. Both Guy and Hazel entered the civil service and were appointed positions in Browning. In Browning, she changed careers and entered the Indian Health Service, where she eventually worked her way up to the position of hospital administrative officer. She retired after serving 32 years working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. They moved to Kalispell to retire, where family and religion played an important part of their lives. The love she felt for her family was evident by all who met her. Hazel was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Emma Lambert; her husband, Guy Smith; and her daughter, Dawn Maria Smith. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Ann Smith-Kuipers; her grandchildren, Stephanie, C.J. and his wife, Katie, Ronnie, Timothy, Trevor and his wife, Tara, and Michael. She has numerous great-grandchildren, including her namesake, her special Lulu Bell, Sophie Hazel, who brought her great joy and love in the last years of her life. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. today, Wednesday, April 28, at Risen Christ Parish with Father Rudy Bulman and Father Gary Reller co-officiating. Burial will take place at 3 p.m. at Crown Hill Cemetery in Cut Bank. You are invited to go to www.buffalohillfh.com to sign her book or leave a personal message. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.