Betty Ann Smith

IRWIN -  Betty Ann Smith, 79, passed away on December 13, 2024, at Azria Health Longview in Missouri Valley, Iowa after a long battle with cancer and memory loss. She was born at home in Dunlap, Iowa to parents, Addis Donnie Smith and Gertrude Fern (Madison) Smith on October 7, 1945. She grew up in Dunlap, graduating in 1963. Betty graduated from cosmetology school in 1964 but discovered her true love was working with children. She attended Northwest Missouri State University, earning a BA in Elementary Education in 1969 and began her teaching career at IKM-Manning the same year. Betty also earned a Master’s in Elementary Education. She taught kindergarten for over 35 years, retiring in 2006. 
Betty loved singing and performing. She began singing in public at the age of three and never stopped. She sang at many weddings, funerals, plays and in church. She also sang daily, whenever the mood hit. Betty began singing and acting in plays during high school and continued throughout college and with community playhouses. Animals held a special place in Betty’s heart. She was quick to take in orphaned, sick and needy animals, helping to restore their health and then releasing the wild ones back into the wilderness, finding homes for domestic animals or adopting them herself. She loved dogs and cats, but her menagerie also included a monkey, hamsters, a pot belly pig, turtles, raccoons and more. Betty’s immense passion for life was evident. She loved painting, scrapbooking, fishing and collecting. She loved dolls, amassing over 200 throughout her lifetime. Betty shared her passion by giving talks to a variety of audiences sharing stories about some of her dolls and the history behind them. She volunteered at her church and throughout the community and was always ready and willing to lend a hand. Betty was very close to her sister and her nieces and nephews. Family and faith were everything to her. She touched many lives and will live on in their hearts. 
At the age of 79 years, two months and six days.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Dona Crandall; and brothers, Donald and Richard Smith. She is survived by her nieces, Deneen Healey of Logan, Iowa and Cristi (Mark) Zack of Missouri Valley Iowa; nephews, Donald (Ramona) and Charles Crandall both from Omaha, Nebraska; great nieces, Nichole Healey, Joeona Healey, Jacklyn (Jeff) Martin, Jessica Crandall, Brenda (Simon) Sandoval; great nephews, Russell Zack and James (Nichole) Crandall; and many other beloved relatives, families and friends.
A funeral service was held on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at United Methodist Church in Irwin, Iowa. Rev. Sue Thomas presided over the service. The musicians were Shelly Christensen and Ron Rasmussen. The congregational hymns were “Hymn of Promise”, “Jesus Loves Me” and “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”. The honorary pallbearers were Donald Crandall, Charles Crandall, Gwen Gustafson, Beth Hagadorn, Jonna Willadsen and Lana Schwieso. Betty’s final resting place is at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Fouts Funeral Home in Woodbine was in charge of arrangements. www.foutsfuneralhome.com