ObituaryHILDEGARD IDA SMITHCORTLAND - Hildegard Ida Smith, 83, of Cortland, passed away January 13, 2007 at the Cortland Regional Medical Center.Hildegard was born November 8, 1923 in Silesia, Germany, the daughter of Ida and Eduard Widura. At the age of eighteen, she served in the Luftwaffe as an aircraft spotter in a castle along the Rhine River during World War II. In 1950, she married Sgt. Dana C. Smith, an American soldier in the 1st Infantry Division, who was stationed in Germany after the war. The family lived on various U.S. Army bases in Germany and the United States until Sgt. Smith's retirement as a decorated war veteran after 23 years in the U.S. Military.The family then moved to Cortland. Hildegard worked for the Smith Corona Typewriter Company for many years. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, walking, and spending time with her family. For many years, she enjoyed yearly visits from her sister and brother-in-law, Inge and Horst Ludwig from Dusseldorf, Germany.Hildegard is survived by her two children, Michael (Mary) Winston of Ithaca and Patricia (Paul) Aldrich-Allabaugh of Cortland; and her three grandchildren, Aaron P. Hutchings of Ithaca, and Jacob M. Aldrich and Amber L. Aldrich of Cortland.Hildegard will be buried beside her husband, who predeceased her in 1982, at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC. Graveside services will be held at the cemetery.Contributions in her memory may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Wright-Beard Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.