Kathryn (Metzger) Smith, 101, was born February 27, 1923, in Vandalia Illinois. One of six children, she was raised by her parents, Gertie Willette and Paul Metzger, on their homestead farm. Living over 100 years she was a witness to history. And, also, a painter of it.
After winning an art contest at her one room schoolhouse, Kay decided to pursue art as her career. She left home with $75 borrowed from her reluctant father to study at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She became a successful studio illustrator of cookbooks and children’s books. She used her money to buy a boat ticket to Europe. Her plan was to paint, in watercolor, her first love, all the sites of Paris.
However, her destiny was back in the United States. In 1974 she was offered a commission to paint historic landmarks for a series of books about the upcoming bicentennial. Her assignment was to travel across America and paint on site: Mt. Rushmore, the Statue of Liberty, Monticello and dozens more. That experience led to Kay’s life’s work.
Over the next several decades Kay painted over 300 watercolors of sites, monuments and events that tell the story of America. Her American Legacy Collection holds that body of work. She was awarded the title- Artist Laureate of Illinois by the Lincoln Academy, a lifetime honor. When she slowed down from painting on location, Kay accepted commissions and taught watercolor painting for 20 years at the Old Town Triangle Assoc. in Chicago.
In addition to her being named Artist Laureate, Kay received the George Washington Honor Medal from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge for preserving American history, the only artist given this award. Her last large assignment was to recreate a dramatic WWII air battle scene of Mustang fighter planes, flown by the Tuskegee Airmen, escorting our bombers over Germany.
Kay married William Smith in 1956 and moved into her Chicago row house where she remained until her death. She is survived by her daughter Julia Elizabeth Smith, son-in-law Ira Bodenstein, grandchildren Sarah Rose Bodenstein, Jennie Bodenstein, George Bodenstein and devoted family, students and friends.
Funeral service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025 at 11:00 am at Miller Funeral Home, 831 N. 5th St, Vandalia, IL 62471. Burial will follow at Fairlawn Cemetery, Vandalia, IL. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the service hour at 11:00 am at the funeral home. Miller Funeral Home, Vandalia, IL, is in charge of arrangements. Online memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.millerfh.net.
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