BETTY B. SMITH
Norwalk

Services for Betty B. Smith, 90, who passed away Monday, May 22, 2017 at the Mercy Hospice in Johnston, IA, will be held 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 26 at the Norwalk Christian Church.  Burial will follow in the Norwalk Cemetery, with a luncheon after at the Church.

Betty was born to Don and Cordelle (Herr) Singleton at home on their farm in Kinross, Iowa on July 18, 1926.  She graduated from Kinross at age 16 and boarded a bus to Des Moines to attend the American Institute of Business, from which she graduated.  On July 4, 1947, she went on a blind date to the races at the State Fairgrounds with Bill Smith.  She told her roommate that night that she would marry him, and she did.  They were married on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1947, and their life together began.

Bill and Betty moved to Norwalk in 1962 and joined the "Center Street 100" where they found forever friends in their neighbors, the community, and the Norwalk Christian Church.  Betty retired from Iowa Workforce Development in 1987 so that she and Bill could spend more time with their family and continue their travels. Betty was never short on conversation and took much pleasure in being with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends.  She was active in Red Hats and enjoyed playing cards and bingo, watching basketball, and shopping--mainly for shoes.  Betty never feared speaking her mind and, as a result, you always knew where you stood with her.  If you were Betty's friend, you were her friend for life.  She was deeply loved and she will be forever missed.

Betty is survived by her children, Tom (Roxann) Smith, Marcia Smith and Susie Pritchard; grandchildren, Chantelle Smith, Jesica Roth, Brent Allen, Ashley McKee, Maggie Ziemke, Audrey Pritchard, and Abby Pritchard; great-grandchildren, Nile Roth, Neli Roth, Nolan Dunn, Madeline Ziemke and Lucy Ziemke.  She was preceded in death by her husband William L. Smith, son Gary Smith, grandson Trevor McKee, and brother Dale Singleton.

Visitation will be held 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, May 25 at the Norwalk Christian Church.  Memorials may be made to the Norwalk Christian Church.