Born in Riga, Latvia, on Dec. 3, 1921, (that's the country next to Lithuania) Erika Brunner made her first home in Chicago. She married an American soldier, Arthur Brunner. A newlywed and a new country seemed to be the dream she had waited for. She loved her new life and country. Arthur Brunner passed away; they had one child, Peggy Brunner. Erika met and married James Smith, a Chicago firefighter. "Jimmy," as he was affectionately called, died while riding on a "hook and ladder" a month before he was due for retirement. There was now a move to Hot Springs in 1978 to be close to her daughter.
She loved Hot Springs very much – she often said "there was no better place in the world." She had no desire to ever leave America and return to her country of origin.
Glitz and glamour defined Erika Smith. She continued to make plans for the future as her life on Earth was ending; she was very strong and determined. Her love for animals was deep. She would sometimes visit people just to see their pets and she always fed the birds and critters. Now she is blessed with no more pain, and eternal peace.
The celebration of her life will be at Hot Springs Funeral Home, 1017 Central (next to Central Baptist Church). The service will be given by Steve Burns; the celebration of her life begins at 2 p.m. Sunday.
Erika Smith is survived by her daughter, Peggy Brunner-Maruthur, of Hot Springs; grandchildren, Marsha Porter and her husband, Jamie, of Michigan, Dr. Nisa Marisa Maruthur, of Baltimore, and grandson, Mario Maruthur, of Little Rock. There are great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren around the United States.
She loved Hot Springs very much – she often said "there was no better place in the world." She had no desire to ever leave America and return to her country of origin.
Glitz and glamour defined Erika Smith. She continued to make plans for the future as her life on Earth was ending; she was very strong and determined. Her love for animals was deep. She would sometimes visit people just to see their pets and she always fed the birds and critters. Now she is blessed with no more pain, and eternal peace.
The celebration of her life will be at Hot Springs Funeral Home, 1017 Central (next to Central Baptist Church). The service will be given by Steve Burns; the celebration of her life begins at 2 p.m. Sunday.
Erika Smith is survived by her daughter, Peggy Brunner-Maruthur, of Hot Springs; grandchildren, Marsha Porter and her husband, Jamie, of Michigan, Dr. Nisa Marisa Maruthur, of Baltimore, and grandson, Mario Maruthur, of Little Rock. There are great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren around the United States.
Born in Riga, Latvia, on Dec. 3, 1921, (that's the country next to Lithuania) Erika Brunner made her first home in Chicago. She married an American soldier, Arthur Brunner. A newlywed and a new country seemed to be the dream she had waited for. She loved her new life and country. Arthur Brunner passed away; they had one child, Peggy Brunner. Erika met and married James Smith, a Chicago firefighter. "Jimmy," as he was affectionately called, died while riding on a "hook and ladder" a month before he was due for retirement. There was now a move to Hot Springs in 1978 to be close to her daughter.
She loved Hot Springs very much – she often said "there was no better place in the world." She had no desire to ever leave America and return to her country of origin.
Glitz and glamour defined Erika Smith. She continued to make plans for the future as her life on Earth was ending; she was very strong and determined. Her love for animals was deep. She would sometimes visit people just to see their pets and she always fed the birds and critters. Now she is blessed with no more pain, and eternal peace.
The celebration of her life will be at Hot Springs Funeral Home, 1017 Central (next to Central Baptist Church). The service will be given by Steve Burns; the celebration of her life begins at 2 p.m. Sunday.
Erika Smith is survived by her daughter, Peggy Brunner-Maruthur, of Hot Springs; grandchildren, Marsha Porter and her husband, Jamie, of Michigan, Dr. Nisa Marisa Maruthur, of Baltimore, and grandson, Mario Maruthur, of Little Rock. There are great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren around the United States.
She loved Hot Springs very much – she often said "there was no better place in the world." She had no desire to ever leave America and return to her country of origin.
Glitz and glamour defined Erika Smith. She continued to make plans for the future as her life on Earth was ending; she was very strong and determined. Her love for animals was deep. She would sometimes visit people just to see their pets and she always fed the birds and critters. Now she is blessed with no more pain, and eternal peace.
The celebration of her life will be at Hot Springs Funeral Home, 1017 Central (next to Central Baptist Church). The service will be given by Steve Burns; the celebration of her life begins at 2 p.m. Sunday.
Erika Smith is survived by her daughter, Peggy Brunner-Maruthur, of Hot Springs; grandchildren, Marsha Porter and her husband, Jamie, of Michigan, Dr. Nisa Marisa Maruthur, of Baltimore, and grandson, Mario Maruthur, of Little Rock. There are great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren around the United States.
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
