Margaret (Meg) Bengtson Smith was born to Nels P. and Anna (Johnson) Bengtson on March 5, 1918, in Oshkosh Township, Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at the Mission Covenant Church of Dawson, Minnesota. Margaret attended Rural School District #37 and graduated from Canby High School, Canby, Minnesota, in 1936. Following graduation, she attended the Calhoun Secretarial School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and worked at the AAA office in Clarkfield, Minnesota, for several years. Margaret married James W. (Bill) Smith on September 12, 1942, at the Mission Covenant Church. Shortly after being drafted into the army during WW II, Bill was posted to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where Meg later joined him. Bill was then sent to Camp Lee, Virginia, for OCS, and Meg stayed on in Wyoming. While there she worked as a secretary in the Officer's Club and as a hostess with the USO. In 1943 her husband received overseas orders, returning two years later after the birth of their daughter, Carol. In 1948 their second child, James, was born. Meg spent many happy years in the service with her husband, traveling and living in 11 states, spending three years in Germany. She was actively involved in chapel, social, and volunteer work, led Bible studies and served as a Den Mother for the Scouts. After Bill's posting to Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas, she was instrumental in founding the Junior Enlisted Wives Club, where she helped young service brides adjust to army life. She was also involved in the YMCA for enlisted wives, a Hospice Group, Meals on Wheels, and The Norwegian Society of El Paso. Following her husband's death in 1978, Margaret returned to her home state of Minnesota. Since the mid 1980's she has lived in Rochester, Willmar, Madison, Wabasso, and Redwood Falls. Margaret passed away on Sunday, November 21, 2004, at the Sunwood Good Samaritan Care Center in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, at the age of 86 years, 8 months and 16 days. Meg is survived by her daughter Carol Barrington and husband Irvin; son James Smith; granddaughters Shelby Memorial Service Wednesday, November 24, 2004, 11:00 a.m. Dawson Covenant Church, Providence Township Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota Officiating, Rev. John Norland Organist/Accompanist, Ardyce Thompson Soloist, Dean Pearson "I Sing with Joy and Gladness" "Children of the Heavenly Father" Final Resting Place Ft. Bliss National Cemetery El Paso, Texas Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891 Clarkfield Minnesota