By Penny Leuthard, Staff Writer

 

Liz Smith has been named the 2018 Clearwater Heritage Days Senior Queen, an honor given to her because of her generous community service.

 

Smith has lived in Clearwater and been a member of Rejoice Lutheran Church for the past 15 years.

 

A life-long Episcopalian before joining Rejoice, Smith’s daughter Linda Ashcroft was attending the church and told her she had to come.

 

“As soon as I opened up the door I could feel the Holy Spirit,” said Smith. “It took me about a year to think about it but then I joined. It was love at first try.”

 

Along with singing in the church choir she has spent the past 15 years teaching 5-year-olds in Sunday School. She developed her own curriculum to use.

 

“My emphasis is on helping other people,” said Smith. “Each week I ask the kids, ‘Who did you help this week?’ or ‘Who helped you?’”

 

She is also known for appearing as Lena during Rejoice’s Fall Festival each year. Twelve years ago, God spoke to Smith and told her he wanted her to go over to the festival and be a greeter.

“He said, ‘I think Lena would be nice.’”

 

“I’m Scottish and English, not Norwegian or Swedish, so I’d never heard of Lena before,” she said. “I learned about her from a guy in my bridge group who used to tell Lena stories.”

 

Along with her service at Rejoice, Smith is passionate about the Clearwater/Clear Lake Food Shelf, where she’s also volunteered for the past 15 years. 

 

“I’m with a group of people there who feel the same way I do,” she explained. “There but by the grace of God go I.”

 

She welcomes visitors to the food shelf and makes them feel comfortable, trying to get to know them and treating each one in a special way.

 

Smith, who has five children and 12 grandchildren, learned about community service from her parents while she was growing up in Waseca.

 

“My mom knitted sweaters for the army,” she said. “She liked to help people and was a very good listener. My dad belonged to the Jaycees and participated in a barbershop group.”

 

Although busy with volunteer work, Smith said she likes to take advantage of quiet time, doing word searches to keep her mind active.

 

“It’s an honor to be recognized in your community,” she said. “I have had friends that were named queen before me. To be considered in that group is really an honor.”

 

“I don’t do it for the recognition,” Smith continued. “I just want to help people. As you give so shall you receive, I believe so strongly in that. The love of my life right now is living in this community and serving people.”