Marian S. Smith

Smith, Marian S. (Welch), 74, loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many, died Sunday, April 1, 2007, after a long battle with ovarian cancer. Visitation with the family 5:00 ~ 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, April 4, Downing Lahey Mortuary East. Memorial services will be held 3:00 P.M., Thursday, April 5 at University Congregational Church. The daughter of Walter and Elna Schick, Marian was born on April 8, 1932, in Davenport, IA. She graduated from Davenport High School and attended the University of Iowa. A summer job at Davenport Bank Trust led to a 12-year career in banking. She subsequently worked with Florida National Bank in Miami, FL and the First National Bank of Chicago. In 1961, she married the late Dr. Willard J. Smith and three years late the couple moved to Wichita, KS. Her husband joined the Wichita Urology Group where he practiced urology until 1988. Marian was very busy during this time raising their three children and serving with the Sedgwick County Medical Auxiliary, Wichita Center For The Arts, Kappa Alpha Theta sorority alumnae, Salvation Army and Wesley Volunteer Group. She was one of the founders of the University Congregational Church, past president of the Womens Guild and past president of the Womens Golf Association of the Wichita Country Club. In 1992, Marian married Dr. Lauren K. Welch, retired neurologist with whom she enjoyed traveling. She was very devoted to her family and friends and especially loved spending time with her grandchildren. She was an avid golfer and enjoyed cooking, sewing, gardening and reading. Marian is survived by her husband, Lauren, her son, Michael J. Smith of Irving, TX, her daughter, Lisa Campbell, son-in-law, Craig and granddaughters, Kelsey and Amanda Campbell of Olathe, KS, her daughter, Dr. Karen R. Strecker, son-in-law, Kevin and grandchildren, Michaela and Willard Strecker of Wichita, KS, her brother, Philip Schick of Spring Hill, FL, her step-children, Tim Welch of Boulder, CO, Andrea Kubarych of Warwick, NY, John Welch of Fort Meyers, Fl and Christine Elder of Salem, OR and many loving nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, late husband, and brother Edward J. Schick of Clearlake, IA. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Wichita Childrens Home, 810 N. Holyoke, Wichita, KS 67203 and Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market, Wichita, KS, 67202. Visitation with the family 5:00 ~ 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, April 4, Downing Lahey Mortuary East.