Lynette Smith Obituary

A Life Remembered with Grace, Gratitude and Grit
It is with deep sorrow that we gather, in spirit and in thought, to honor the life of Lynette E. Smith, who passed away July 8, 2025, and to celebrate her journey that left an indelible imprint upon family, friends, and community alike.
Lynn was born on September 26, 1937, to Lillian Elnora (Graham) Alton and Lyle Rayner Alton in Sacramento, CA. Lynn was a decedent of the Graham of Mentieth Clan, Scottish immigrants whose lineage dates to the late 1700's originating in the Highlands of Stirlingshire and Perthshire. In the winter of 1849, the California gold rush brought Lynn's ancestors to the Eureka Mine in Butte County, now Plumas County. Rounding up cattle left to fend for themselves by miners eager to begin digging for gold, they drove the herd to the Sacramento Valley, acquired mining claims and 1400 prime acres on Grand Island in Colusa County where the family grew. In the late 1940's Lynn's family moved to Dunsmuir, California where Lynn graduated from high school in 1955. Lynn married John Houston Buckley Smith in July of 1959, after she started her career with Bank of America. They built a family home in Mt. Shasta, California, where they raised two daughters, Deborah Ann, and Teri Lynn.
After a divorce in 1973, Lynn heard about the trans-Alaska pipeline and moved to Big Lake, Alaska to pursue an opportunity to manage a remote recreational lodge, Ketchum's Alaska Inn. Alaska was booming and the lodge was the place pipeline workers socialized when on R & R with pockets full of money, access to good whiskey, snow machine races every weekend in the winter, and boat races in the summer. The success of the pipeline and the lodge attracted the special interest of the New Jersey mafia who saw an opportunity to cash in on meeting the needs of pipeline workers and cashed Lynn out on an offer she couldn't refuse.
Lynn moved to Anchorage in 1975 and became a workers compensation field auditor traveling throughout the State of Alaska conducting inspections for NCCI. In 1983 she became a licensed property and casualty agent working as an account manager for several insurance broker/agency firms including Frank B. Hall. From 1997 through 2010 she worked as an Account Executive for Wells Fargo Insurance Service. She went into part-time retirement working for Alaska National conducting audits until her full retirement in 2017.
Lynn was an avid sports fan, particularly devoted to college basketball, football, and, above all, hockey. She could often be found at ice rinks throughout Anchorage, cheering on her grandsons and great-grandsons. As they left the state to compete nationally, Lynn adamantly followed their success in numerous junior hockey and college hockey programs.
Known for her immense kindness, Lynn had a heart that opened wide for everyone. She loved the holiday season, particularly Christmas, and would regularly invite those far from their families to share in her festive traditions. For many newcomers to Alaska, her home became a haven-a place to feel warmth, receive a meal, and feel like home. She became, to many, an "Alaskan mom."
Lynn is survived by her daughter Teri (Doug) Nienhaus; grandchildren: Travis (Melony) Buckmeier, Trevor Buckmeier, Cobi Smith-Mass, and Mercedes Nienhaus; great-grandsons: Bodie, Easton, Alton, Rhiley, Calder, and Roenick; great-granddaughter Karolidas; and niece, Samantha (Dewey) Wells.
Lynn was preceded in death by her beloved daughter Deborah Ann Smith; parents Lillian and Lyle Alton; sisters Linda Williams and Lenora Alton; and brother Lyle R. Alton Jr.
A celebration of life will be held on July 31, 2025, at 2947 Misty Mountain Road, Eagle River, Alaska, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Food and refreshments will be provided. All who loved Lynn are warmly invited to join in celebrating her remarkable life. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that you donate to a charity of your choice.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lynette E Smith, please visit our floral store.