Thea Smith

Althea (Thea) Rautenberg Smith passed away peacefully on August 8, 2023 after a full and joyous life. Born in Elmhurst, Illinois to Ernest and Althea (Kimberly) Rautenberg on January 1, 1932, she was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She graduated from York High School in Elmhurst, where she met her husband, Earl R. Smith. Thea attended DePauw University and then transferred to the University of Illinois so she could be with Earl. She joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and was a lifelong member, as well as being a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society (the nation’s most prestigious academic honor society).

Earl and Thea were married on November 29, 1952 in Elmhurst, Illinois and celebrated their 70^th anniversary last year. Earl worked for The Dow Chemical Company and his job took them to Midland (MI), The Netherlands, Texas, Chile, Brazil and California. While moving around, Thea was able to be a member of many different groups. She was a P.E.O. Sister for 57 years and was also a member of organizations such as the Contemporary Review Club in Midland, the Pebble Creek Art Club, Midland Symphony, Pebble Creek Kare Bears, and many other prestigious groups.

She was a lifelong volunteer in schools in order to pass on her love of learning and endowed a scholarship for young women attending college. Thea was a fervent patron of the Arts, but also enjoyed Sports, especially baseball and golf. She became a die-hard fan of whichever MLB team was closest to where she lived. Thea had an eye for color and was a great interior designer. Later in life, she became an accomplished water color painter and, especially, loved painting flowers.

Earl and Thea retired in Arizona, where she played golf, painted and went to exercise classes (up until the day before her passing). Thea was a breast cancer survivor, an avid reader and had a strong Christian faith.

Survivors include her beloved husband, Earl, of Goodyear, AZ; a son and daughter-in-law, Greg and Beth Smith of South Carolina; and a daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and Kurt Faust of Michigan.  She has five grandchildren: Ashley Smith of Missouri; Christian Smith of South Carolina; Daniel (Chessie) Smith of Kentucky; Alex (Ally) Faust of Michigan; and Andrea (Alex) DeVries of Michigan. In addition, she has three great-grandchildren: Mac & Cam Faust; Evelyn DeVries and her brother due at the end of August.

She was predeceased by her parents, two sisters and their husbands Peggy (Ray)Speth and Lois (Willard) Matheson, as well as her mother-in-law, father-in-law and brother-in-law Robert Smith.

Details for a Service in memory of Thea will be forthcoming.

Donations in Thea’s memory can be sent to:

P.E.O. Chapter ET

In Honor of Thea Smith

3025 N. 160^th Ave

Goodyear, AZ. 85395