Rogene Hayen Smith was born November 14, 1930 to parents Virgil and Ruth Kennedy. Rogene began her education in a one-room school house north of Brookfield. She was a BHS graduate in 1948 and was enrolled at Kirksville State Teachers College (now Truman State University). She married George Hayen in 1950 and were parents to four daughters, all graduates of Brookfield High School. Rogene was always involved with the youth of Brookfield. For many years she served as a Girl Scout Leader, a 4-H member and judge at the Linn County fair, mother adviser for the Order of Rainbow for Girls, Youth Director at Park Baptist Church where she was a 60-year member and Sunday school teacher. She returned to college at Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University)in Kirksville and received a BSE Degree in May of 1986. Upon obtaining her teaching degree she taugh at New Cambria and Callao schools as an FACS teacher and art teacher. She was employed by the Marceline R-V School District for 12 years as Parent Educator of the Parents as Teachers Program. After her retirement she served as president of the Linn County Retired Teachers Association. Rogene was the first woman to serve on the Brookfield City Council and was a member of the Brookfield Chamber of Commerce. She served on the Leadership Academy committee and was a graduate of the Brookfield Area Growth Partnership Leadership Academy. She served on the Linn County Historical Society as president and secretary, was a part of the group that founded the Tillman Museum, and served on the Centennial and Quasquicentennial committees. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star Fraternal Organization holding many offices with the group and was a member of the Daughters of American Revolution. She married Marshall Smith and resided in Brookfield until her recent death, January 22, 2018.