Aileen V. (Smith) Ward

Aileen V. Ward, 97, of Livingston, peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior early Tuesday morning, March 25, 2014 at her home in Livingston. Arrangements are under the direction of Franzen-Davis Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 2 - 5 p.m. Thursday, March 27 at Franzen-Davis Funeral home, 118 No. 3rd St. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 28 at Holbrook United Methodist Church, corner of 5th and Lewis Streets in Livingston, with Pastor Lynn Balgeman of Belgrade officiating. Graveside committal and burial will be in Mountain View Cemetery. If so desired, memorials may be directed to the charity of the donors choice. On March 23, 1917 Aileen was born on the family ranch east of Clyde Park, Mont., the daughter of Roscoe W. and Edna L. (Gilbert) Smith. Along with her brothers, Gordon and Gilbert, she spent her early life on the ranch and rode horseback to Pleasant View School where she received her early education. In 1934 she graduated from Clyde Park High School and, in 1935, began nurses training at Billings Deaconess Hospital. By 1938 she became a registered nurse and worked in the hospital laboratory and x-ray department for three years. At the beginning of WW II Aileen traveled to Ft. Lewis, Wash. and entered the Army Nurses Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant. In August of 1942 while stationed there, Aileen met Jack W. Ward and they were married on November 2, 1942 in Olympia, Wash. Three children, Dan, Gary and Virginia, were born of this union. Following their discharge from the military, Aileen, Jack and their family lived in Oregon and California where Jack worked in the lumber industry, and eventually in Montana where he was employed with the railroad. After coming to Livingston in 1952 Aileen began work as a night nurse at Lot Hospital, and in 1955 she went to work for the new Livingston Memorial Hospital, where she was employed for 23 years. Interestingly, Aileen worked the very last night shift at Lot Hospital and the very first night shift at Livingston Memorial. During her years as a nurse, she helped deliver many, many babies. Aileen was a member of Emmanuel Fellowship in Livingston; the Park County Pioneer Society; and was Grand Marshall in the 2007 Clyde Park Old Settlers Day parade. She also enjoyed a "cousins group" that met every Friday for lunch for many years until there was only she and one other member, Mary Smith, belonging. Her faith in Jesus Christ and her love of her family always meant a great deal to Aileen. As photography was one of her hobbies, Aileen filled many albums and she also enjoyed crocheting, creating numerous afghans for family and friends. Survivors include her three children, Dan (Sherrie) Ward of Nampa, Idaho, and Gary Ward and Virginia Ward, both of Livingston.; five grandchildren, Kim Pelley, Steve Ward, Justin Ward, Valia Fuller and Chad Ward; two step-grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; a brother, Gordon Smith of Clyde Park; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, including Todd (Delilah) Smith and Carlene (Tom) McCrea. Aileen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Jack in 1989, and her brother, Gilbert Smith.