God called our beautiful angel and His faithful servant, Cante Waste Wi “Kind Hearted Woman”, home on November 19, 2013 at the Faith Lutheran Home in Wolf Point, MT. A mighty woman in faith, love, and strength, and a small woman in stature, she truly was the rock and foundation the family was built on. Tressie ‘Theresa’ Catherine (Steele) Smoker was born on February 9, 1939 to William “Billy” Steele and Agnes Scott in Poplar, MT. She attended school until the young age of 16 when she met, fell in love and married her soul mate Kenneth Raymond Smoker on June 18, 1955 in Poplar.
Theresa instantly found her calling as a mother and nurturer with the birth of her four children, Jeri Lynn, Kenneth Jr., Karen Rose, and John Rocky. Theresa was a faithful homemaker and hold Avon until the 1970s at which time she was hired at the Indian Health Service as a dental assistant. In her position, Theresa enjoyed advocating for good dental hygiene, especially with the area youth. She was a staple in Poplar Schools for her routine teeth checks and most memorably her large station wagon which she used to transport students to the dentist office. Although the site of her station wagon invoked fear in children, Theresa would tell them not to be afraid and comfort them; she would say the same things throughout her life to her family and friends during trying times, always bringing peace and comfort to the those in need. She faithfully served her role as dental assistant in the Vern E. Gibbs Indian Health Center in Poplar until 2009. She loved her coworkers, patients, and the work she did; she proudly kept a stash of tooth brushes and floss handy in her purse at all times for anyone she felt in need of clean teeth.
Theresa was the biggest champion and cheerleader for her children. She also was called ‘mom’ and ‘grandma’ by many of her children’s and grandchildren’s friends whom she took in, fed, and loved as though they were her own. She was a devout Poplar Indian fan for over forty years, watching her children and grandchildren flourish athletically. Her love, admiration, and pride in them are evident by the box of programs and sporting memorabilia she saved with her handwritten statistics for each game from the 1970s to the early 2000s. Theresa or “Grandma Pretty” was also blessed with an abundance of great-grandchildren that gave her great joy, laughter, and amusement. She enjoyed a competitive game of scrabble with her sisters and spending quiet evening putting together large challenging puzzles. She always made sure everyone was happy, taken care of and most importantly loved. Right next to her was her best friend and soul mate, Ken. Together, Ken and Theresa enjoyed their evening cruises to Frazer, traveling, attending local sporting events and visiting their family. She faithfully stood next to him during bouts of illnesses and in return, he faithfully stood by her side during her last three years of health issues and hospitalizations. Their love and marriage of 58 years is rare and an encouragement for their children and grandchildren to find an everlasting love. They’re life together showed that marriage can be meaningful, enriched, and filled with love through great perseverance and overcoming life’s trials and triumphs together; a challenge Theresa was proud of and encouraged others to obtain. Ken and Theresa were blessed with a lifetime together, but a lifetime is never enough, he will greatly miss his love, confidante, and best friend.
Theresa is preceded in death by her children, John Rocky and Karen Rose; parents, Billy and Agnes Steele; brothers, Fred, Dorrance ‘Curly’, and Lonnie; sisters, Carlene, Trivian, Marlene, and Mary Rose; and multiple extended family and friends.
Theresa is survived by her husband of 58 years Kenneth Sr.; children, Kenneth Jr. (Alice), and Jeri (Roger); adopted daughter, Rose Morsette; adopted sons, Nick Hagadone and Lowell Standing; sister, Thelma; sister-in-law, Vera (John); grandchildren, Mike (Angie), Yvonne (Richard), Emery, John (Ralynn), Terry, Witney, Griffin (Adriann), Scott (Lori), Brian, Steve (Clarice), Christian, and Kenneth Michael; adopted grandson, Daniel Stuber; 18 great-grandchildren; descendants from the Steele, Foote, and Scott families; in-law descendants from the Smoker and Red Boy families; there are numerous other family and friends that Theresa held dear to her heart so we apologize for all not mentioned.
It’s hard to sum up such a beautiful soul into a few paragraphs, but all who knew Theresa, knew that even a book couldn’t do her life justice. She was “quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to be angry”, always first to forgive and loved firmly and fervently. Her character and devotion to her family and friends is a testament to her love and faith in Jesus Christ. Her strength and faith were unwavering and will continue to be her legacy for her family to follow. She will be missed by all who know her.
A rosary will be held 6 p.m. Friday, November 22 at the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Poplar. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, November 23 at the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Poplar. Interment will follow at the Poplar City Cemetery in Poplar.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences can be sent to the family using the form below.
Carlos JBuck Elk | Dallas Tx says
Sorry to hear of Theresa passing, my condolences
to the family.
Billie McClammy Norgaard says
Ken Sr., Ken Jr. Jeri, and all her grandkids, nieces and nephews and extended family,
We are so sorry for your loss. As you know mom and your mom were very good friends. She was a kind a loving person. I remember when she would take us to the clinic for our dental visits every school year. Your mother touched many lives here on the Fort Peck Reservation. She will be greatly missed.
Billie and Greg Norgaard
Robert buck elk says
Jerri,My condolences to you and your family.I’ll always remember Theresa from my visits to the dentist.She always had a smile on her face.
Dale Buckles says
Our sincerest condolences goes out to the entire Smoker Family. My mother Yvonne Buckles and family wish you all to find peace and harmony during these trying times.
Dick and Gwen Frerich says
Our prayers for will be offered for Theresa and family. She was a wonderful lady and will be missed by all.
Richard Peterson says
I always panicked when I went to visit the dentist as a kid. It was Theresa who always kept me calm, even as an adult. I will miss her.
Mr. & Mrs. David E. Boyd Sr. says
Ken & family:
Always remember her smile at the dentist office. She will be missed by everyone.
Taflan Family says
Condolences to your family.
Cary Steele Williams says
Uncle Kenny, Jeri, Kenny and Anti Thelma,
Stacy, my mom and I are sending our prayers to you all. We will miss Anti Teresa terribly. She has meant so much to us. Even though we have always lived so far away, she has always been apart of us and in our hearts. God Bless you. Love Cary, Stacy, Lois, Hunter, Sabi, Sage, Jasi, Rocky and Deano (The Steele Family in Tucson)
June Johnson Jensen says
So sorry for the loss of your Beloved Theresa, She was an awesome lady and will be missed bye all who had the chance of knowing her, especially her family My thoughts are with you all at this sad time Hugs to you all Jeri and I graduated together she and Karen Rose were both my friends What a great family
Tressie Catherine Smoker says
i miss you so much love your name sake i love you so much and thanks for when you took you greatgrandkid to the dentist know one knew my grandma like i did.
Tressie Catherine Smoker says
i know so many people she helped and she probbly went to heaven and i know she did and grandma Karen her kid probbly ran to her a said mama smiling so was grandma Therisia she always said to me goodie when i walked in the room and everyone who walked in the room she said that