Spouse:
Arthur J. Smaby (married in 1939, he died in 1972)
Children:
Three children: Marit, Karlin, and Jan (hosted the Almanac public affairs program on Public TV) (daughters)
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:
She was of Norwegian ancestry.
She was raised in Peterson, Minnesota. She eventually moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota and taught school for 4 years. She then worked at Cargill Inc. until she got married in 1939. She moved to her lake home on Lake Vermillion by Cook, Minnesota around 1982. She moved to St. Paul, Minnesota around 1989.
She was a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. (Minnesota Legislative Commission on the Economic Status of Women)
"She is no longer a Democrat. After numerous trips to observe the workings of governments in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, she is more comfortable labeling herself a socialist." (Tomson, Ellen. " 'Just Voting' Was Never Enough for Peace Campaigner." St. Paul Pioneer Press, December 6, 1987, p. 13B)
She was an unsuccessful candidate for the Minnesota House of Representatives in a contested 1968 election with John P. Skeate and Edward R. Brandt.
She ran unsuccessfully for the Minneapolis City Council in the 1969 election.
Her father was a Justice of the Peace.
She died from cancer at home in St. Paul, Minnesota. A memorial service was held at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral in Minneapolis, Minnesota.