Merle "Aleen" Smith, 76, a former resident of the Forest Grove Community, late of Salem, died Sunday afternoon, January 3, 2021, at Salem Hospital in Salem, Oregon.

Rite of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, at Visitation Cemetery in Verboort with Fr. Michael Vuky officiating.

Aleen was born August 26, 1945, in Forest Grove, Oregon. As an infant she was placed in the loving arms of Joe and Nellie (Petronella Cropp) Schmidlkofer as a foster child. She was raised in the Hillside District of Forest Grove until the age of 13 when she moved to the Fairview Training Center in Salem. She eventually moved to a foster home in Salem owned by Allen and Mary Foster. They became fast friends and she resided there for more than 20 years, but age and health concerns necessitated she move again. Her final years were spent with Dianna Miller where she received excellent care.

She spent her adult years working for the Garten Foundation of Salem. Her final job was as a paper sorter.

Aleen was a lifelong member of the Catholic Church and attended Visitation Parish during her early years.

Aleen loved animals, watching movies and eating out at restaurants.

Her favorite pastimes were coloring and assembling 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles. She also enjoyed visits to the Oregon coast, attending the Pendelton Round-Up and going to the Oregon State Fair. Her favorite treat was a strawberry milkshake.

She was preceded in death by her foster parents, Joe and Nellie Schmidlkofer and her foster brothers Joe and Stan Schmidlkofer.

Survivors include many foster nieces and nephews, including Cathy Heinrich of Yamhill, Oregon and Ann Strassel of Buxton, Oregon.

The family suggests remembrances be made to the Visitation Cemetery Endowment Fund, 4285 N.W. Visitation Road, Forest Grove, OR 97116.

Tualatin Valley Funeral Alternatives in Hillsboro is entrusted with the arrangements.