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Obituary for Betty Jane (Wright) Smithson
Betty Jane Smithson, 89, of Redfield passed away April 26, 2020 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. Due to the current coronavirus pandemic, a private family graveside service will be held 10:00 A.M. Friday, May 1, 2020 at West Linn Cemetery in Rural Redfield. There will be a live stream on the Johnson Family Funeral Home Facebook page (www.facebook.com/johnsonfamilyfh) starting at 10:00 A.M. There will be an open visitation from 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Thursday, April 30 at the Johnson Family Funeral Home in Stuart. Memorial contributions may be made to the Redfield Christian Church. Online condolences may be left at www.johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
She was born Betty Jane Wright in Linden, Iowa, Iowa, the daughter of the late Harry and Gladys (Moncelle) Wright, and lived all of her life in the communities of Linden and Redfield. In 1948 she graduated from Linden High School, and on December 18, 1949 she was united in marriage to Thomas Teddy Smithson. Together they raised five children on a small farm in the hills above the Raccoon River valley. As a busy farmwife and fulltime homemaker devoted to her family, she was always there to welcome her children home from school with a baked snack. Betty was also a devoted member of the Redfield Christian Church and the American Legion Auxiliary and volunteered with Dallas County Meals on Wheels, Linden School Board, and as a “copy lady” at her grandchildren’s schools. The Smithson house often overflowed with family and friends, who were offered a hot cup of coffee and Betty’s fresh baked goods – cinnamon rolls and sugar cookies. Later on, she suffered from short-term memory loss and various health complaints, but she maintained her warmth, sense of humor, a fresh manicure, and sweet tooth (especially for “Pella letters”). She is survived by her children, Sheryl Ulrich of Sumas, Washington; Tom (Judy) Smithson of Panora, Iowa; Janis (Larry) Johnson of Van Buren, Missouri; Bob (Linda) Smithson of Redfield, Iowa, Debbie (Calvin) Anderson of Redfield, Iowa; 14 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren. Also surviving is her beloved brother, Harry “Neil” Wright of Chesapeake, Virginia, in addition to dear nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ted, brother Wesley, and sisters Dorothy Abraham and Elsie Rehmus.
