The Reverend Elmer C. Smith, Lincoln, Nebraska, departed this life on Saturday, April 16, 2011, at the age of 66.  He was born in Seward, Nebraska, on March 28, 1945, to Herbert R. and Mary E. (Foster) Smith.  He graduated from Seward High School in 1963.  Elmer was united in marriage to Bonnie L. Brehe on August 31, 1968, at Agar, South Dakota.  He earned Associates, Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate degrees from Nebraska Vocational Technical College in Milford; University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Concordia University in Seward; and Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri.  He served with Nebraska Air National Guard from 1965-1985 and retired as Master Sergeant.  He was employed as professor and administrator at Southeast Community College in Milford, Methodist College of Nursing in Omaha, Concordia University in Seward, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Doane College in Lincoln.  He was ordained on June 7, 2009, and had served as pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sterling, Nebraska, since that time.

Pastor Smith is survived by his wife, Bonnie Smith, Lincoln; one daughter, Holly (Charlie) Senrick, Omaha, Nebraska; one son, Kelly Smith, Arapahoe, Nebraska; two grandsons, Christian Eli Smith and Aiden Elmer Smith; three brothers, Stephen (Linda) Smith and Trevor (Marcia) Smith, all of Seward; and Sidney (Roseanne) Smith, Wayland, Michigan; and nieces and nephews.

The memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20, 2011, at Christ Lutheran Church in Lincoln.  Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday, April 18; 9:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 19, with the family receiving friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Zabka Funeral Home in Seward; and 3:00-4:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 20, at the church.  Interment will be in Anderson Cemetery, Seward, Nebraska, at a future date.

Condolences may be sent to Mrs. Bonnie Smith, 739 W. Jennifer Drive, Lincoln, Nebraska 68521.