Betty Jean Smith, 77, died peacefully Thursday morning, Dec. 31, 2009, surrounded by her loved ones at the Sidney Health Center Extended Care Facility in Sidney, Mont.
Betty Jean was born June 2, 1932, in Beach, ND, the first of five children born to Kyle and Lillian (Russell) Sperry of Trotters, ND. Her siblings are Bethine, Shirley, Margie and Kyle “Bud”, Jr.
In 1937, after getting through most of the 1930’s, Kyle loaded up a small trailer, and with the four girls, went west to Oregon, where he worked on a dairy to support his family. In 1940, they moved back to Trotters, where Betty and the kids rode to the Trotters School on horseback every day. She attended high school in Beach, where she graduated in 1951.
Betty was united in marriage to Clarence Smith on Oct. 7, 1950, in Miles City, Mont. They ranched and farmed in the Trotters area for 56 years. To this union were born three children, Eugene, Patti and Tara.
Betty worked at the Sidney Hospital for a few years as a CNA, but her heart was always in the country. In November of 2006, Betty moved into Crestwood Inn in Sidney. She moved into Sidney Health Center Extended Care in June 2008. In May of 2009, Betty was Resident of the Month at the Extended Care facility.
Betty was a member of Trotters Community Church where she served as secretary/treasurer. She was also a member of Webb Willing Workers. Betty’s hobbies were sewing, crocheting, and reading. She has made numerous quilts and blankets for her children and grandchildren.
Betty enjoyed canning vegetables and fruit on the farm. Her basement was always full of jars in the fall. She excelled at cooking and baked wonderful homemade goodies. Family, friends and neighbors always seemed to show up at her table at coffee time. Betty raised sheep, chickens and cats for many years, and a few goats, too!
Betty is survived by her husband, Clarence, Sidney; son Eugene, Sidney; two daughters, Patti (Lee) Hutchinson, Lovell, and Tara (Edward) Skaar, Sidney; sisters Bethine Sperry and Shirley (Chuck) Uetz of Beach, N.D., Margie (George) Kronschnabel, Casper; brother Kyle “Bud” (Marcia) Sperry, Jr., Trotters, N.D.; seven grandchildren, Chad (Janelle) Smith, Killdeer, N.D., Casey (Jamie) Smith, Beulah, N.D., Cody (Renae) Smith, Trotters, Amy Miller, Fargo, N.D., Aaron Skaar, Sidney, Cassandra Hutchinson, Lovell, Kris Hutchinson, Fort Benning, Ga., and eight great-grandchildren.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents and her daughter-in-law, Gail Smith.
A memorial service for Betty J. Smith was held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, at the Fulkerson Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Paul Turek officiating from the Faith Alliance Church in Sidney. Music was provided by Tara Skaar and Patti Hutchinson. Honorary casketbearers were her grandchildren, Chad Smith, Casey Smith, Cody Smith, Kris Hutchinson, Cassandra Hutchinson, Amy Miller and Aaron Skaar. Ushers were Lee Hutchinson and Edward Skaar.
Interment of cremains will take place at a later date in the Sunnyside Cemetery.