Betty J. Smith

Betty Jean Smith, 93, of Oskaloosa, died Thursday, April 4, 2019, at the Oskaloosa Care Center in Oskaloosa. She was born October 21, 1925, in New Sharon, Iowa, the daughter of Herbert and Eva Hyett Stephen.

On July 28, 1940, she was united in marriage to Robert R. Smith in Lancaster, Missouri. Robert died on April 19, 1989.

Betty was a hard worker her entire life. Early on she worked at the Oskaloosa Produce and later at Dooley Manufacturing. Last she worked at Good Time Pre-School in Oskaloosa.

Betty was an active member of the Calvary Bible Church in Oskaloosa. She enjoyed gardening especially tending to her fruit trees and strawberries and mushroom hunting. Betty looked forward to spending as much time as possible with her family. She enjoyed many camping trips to the mountains and always enjoyed preparing homemade stew, bread and doughnuts for Sunday evening dinner with her family. Her motto of “I’m not bragging but I’m not complaining” was how she approached life. She always made the best of her situation. She found joy in being in the care facility visiting with the staff, playing BINGO, and even being crowned Valentine’s Day Queen 2017.

Her family includes her two children and their spouses: Terry (& Janet) Smith of Oskaloosa and Connie (& Rex) Scharff of Oskaloosa; a son of her heart and his wife, Larry (& Margaret) Mateer of Oskaloosa; nine grandchildren: Bobby Dale Smith, Sherri (& Bob) Luckett, Tamela (& Don) Hatcher, Michelle (& Dave) Christenson, Randy (& Candy) Scharff, Larry Joe Mateer, Jr., Mark Mateer, Tommy (& Donna) Mateer, Heidi (& John) Flowers; seventeen great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren and baby Shannon due in July; two sisters, Phyllis Dalziel of Sigourney and Shirley Metzer of Florida; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband Robert, Betty was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers: Kenneth Stephen, Keith Stephen, Jerry Stephen; and a sister, Nina Pope.