Gail Smit, 89, of Yuma, AZ, passed away on December 10, 2023.

A memorial service was held on December 15, at Emerald Springs Senior Living.

Gail was born on June 25, 1934, in Eagle Bend, Minnesota.  She was the daughter of Earl and Laura (Lang) Elder.  She married Joseph Billo and had three children, Steven, Kevin and Shawn (Mary) Billo.  She later married Clarence "Bud" Trout in Rockford, IL.  Gail worked at the Rockford Public Library and retired in 1989, to Yuma, AZ, with Bud.  She later married Jim Smit, in Yuma, AZ, after Bud's death.  Jim passed away in 2020.

Gail enjoyed many summers at a cottage at Rush Lake, Minnesota.  Her parents and in-laws also had cabins at Rush Lake and Julia Lake.  They would pack up for the summer and return home for the start of school.  The boys were able to spend time with both sets of grandparents and enjoy the rustic charm of the lake.

Bud and Gail loved to travel and spent many summers as National Park Volunteers in places including the Apostle Islands, Wisconsin; Taos, New Mexico; Missoula, Montana; and other interesting locations.

Gail was also preceded in death by her parents, and siblings, Marilyn, Eugene, and Jerry.

She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother and friend.  She loved to joke and laugh and enjoy life.  She lived in the Sun Vista Park for 30 years and made many friends with other residents and the snowbirds from Canada.   She moved to Emerald Springs Senior Living facility in 2020 and was well cared for by the staff and nurses.