Edeltraud Smith

Edeltraud (Traudi) Smith (94) passed away peacefully in her home in Mims on March 9, 2020.  Born in Freising, Bavaria on December 11, 1925 to Hans Sellmair and Rosa Sellmair. Traudi grew up in Munich Germany after completing traditional K-12 schooling she continued her education earning a degree in education during World War II.

Traudi met and Married her husband Earl Smith in Freising, Bavaria while he was serving in the United States Air Force.  On August 9th 1951 they were married and returned to the United States by ship, so she could meet Earl’s family in California.  Earl’s mother instantly fell in love with her new daughter-in-law.

After a long voyage to the United States they finally landed in New York.  Traudi was never happier to see land, she spend the entire trip over in the ships hospital from sea sickness.  That is where she found her love for Coca Cola. During their marriage they moved many times in the United States and in Europe.  They traveled across the United States where Traudi fell in love with the American landscape and beautiful homes that she had only seen in the movies.  She loved the state of Texas with all the real cowboys and beautiful cactus. 

One of the things Traudi was most proud of was the day she became a United States Citizen on May 28, 1954.

Traudi had a love for teaching, in her early years she taught elementary school in Germany. After they settled in Austin, Texas Traudi enrolled in the University of Texas where she earned her Master Degree in Teaching and went on to teach both the German and English language to the armed forces in Germany and the US.

Traudi had a love for dachshund’s, they had 3 through the years that traveled the world with them.  The last one she owned saved her life by running out the door before her and warning her of a Rattle Snake. 

Traudi discovered her love of traveling the world when she met Earl. His career gave her many opportunities to travel all over Europe, they even lived in Paris for a while.  After Earl’s death in April of 1989, she continued her world travels with good friends to places like China, Hong Kong, Peru and Germany.  Of all the places she traveled, she loved Peru the most.  

Traudi loved spending time with her two sisters, Rosamaria Drexler and Johanna Lyhme when they would come to visit her at her home here in the United States.  They loved to go to Las Vegas where they all enjoyed playing the slot machines.  She enjoyed showing them the beautiful sites and national parks around the US. 

Traudi’s other pleasures in life were playing Bingo, which she did for many years at the Knights of Columbus in Titusville.  She was well known there as the lady that always won!!  She loved to play golf at LaCita Country Club until a shoulder injury prevented her from playing.

Traudi was preceded in death by her Husband Earl Smith, along with her Mother and Father.  She is survived by her two sisters Johanna Lyhme and Rosamaria Drexler.  Nephews and Nieces Volkwart Lyhme, Hartmut Lyhme; Christoph Drexler, Susi Drexler and Wanda Smith.  Along with many loved friends.

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