Smith, Elizabeth 'Betty'

Elizabeth “Betty” Smith, 88, of Oelwein, died Monday, March 7, 2011, at the Oelwein Care Center. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Geilenfeld Funeral Home in Oelwein. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Zion Lutheran Church in Oelwein.

Betty Smith was born in Washington, Ill., on Oct. 16, 1922, to parents, Henry and Anna (Marchand) Holtzman. She attended country schools and graduated from Washington High School in 1940. Betty then attended the Brown School of Business, Peoria, Ill.

On Nov. 25, 1943, Betty was united in marriage to Robert L. Smith in Washington, Ill. They began their married life farming in Illinois until the spring of 1956, at which time the family moved to a farm near Oelwein, Iowa. Bob and Betty continued farming there until retirement.

Betty was a very kind, loving mother and homemaker, raising their three children. Betty's family meant everything to her. She loved to cook and bake for them. Betty also loved flowers, planting and caring for her flower beds.

She will be dearly missed by all who knew and continue to love her.

Betty is survived by her sons, Charles (Judy) Smith of Oelwein and David (Charlene Schwirtz) Smith of Randalia; her daughter, Debra (Randy) Toenjes of Monticello; her sister, Emily Michael of Pekin, Ill.; her brother, Robert Holtzman of Peoria, Ill.; her sister-in-law, Elizabeth Holtzman of Normal, Ill.; her grandchildren, Kari Buchheit, Eric (Dainna) Smith, Kristi (Eric) Haas, Angie (Jeremy) Hundley, Heidi (Neil) Wilkinson, Derek (Amy) Smith, Rebecca (Brian) Bednarz, Joni (Eric) Wiese and Mary (Alex Rude) Toenjes; and her 12 great-grandchildren.

In death, Betty has rejoined her parents, and her husband, Robert (1995).

Memorials may be made in Betty's honor to Zion Lutheran Church in Oelwein and Westgate Fire and Rescue in Westgate.

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