Myrtle Ruth Smetak

Here is the link to the livestream of Myrtle’s service https://youtu.be/cG20pEr-xYg 

Myrtle Smetak, 86, of Bemidji, MN died Monday, January 2, 2023 at Neilson Place, Bemidji.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Sunday, January 8, 2023 at the New Salem Lutheran Church, Turtle River. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Myrtle Ruth Murtland was born November 10, 1936 in Bemidji to Frank and Maime (Alley) Murtland. She was born and raised in Bemidji where she met and married DeRece Jacobs in March 1953. They had nine children. Throughout her lifetime, she was a cook, preschool teacher and worked at Bi-County Cap at various positions. Her employment culminated in 2012 after working 25 years for the Bemidji Food Shelf. Myrtle volunteered at Neilson Place, with Family Council, Befrienders, as well as roll sale and brat sales. She was a lifelong member of Salem Lutheran Church. She was president of the church council and secretary of the ladies aide. Myrtle was on the Synod Council and building committee for the New Salem Lutheran Church. In January 1988 she married Robert Smetak.

She is survived by her daughters, Patricia Gabriel, Karen Engesather, Diane (Mark) Jacobs and Kathy (Jim) Wiltse; sons, Michael (Michelle) Jacobs, David (Doris) Jacobs, Keith (Ninfa) Jacobs, Daniel (Kristy) Jacobs and Wayne Jacobs; 9 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild and sister, Amelia Gotaas.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, DeRece Jacobs and Robert Smetak; siblings, Alfred, Shirley, Gerald, Dorothy, June, Emily, Ira, Vernon, Ronald and Robert; grandson, Ethan Jacobs and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Neilson Place.

www.OlsonSchwartzFuneralHome.com

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