On August 28, 2025, after a short stay in the Milford Care Center, Betty Louise (Belken) Smith passed away with loving children present. Betty’s big heart, which served her well for 98 years, gave out after almost a century of love and giving to her family and community. Betty was generous to all who knew her and shared a deep enjoyment in nature and in the beauty she found all around her.
Betty was born at home (Milford, IA) on February 15, 1927, to Charles Dewey Belken and Geneva (Woods) Belken. She was the first of seven children. She was the last remaining sibling, and the mother of seven children: William (Bill) Smith of Milford, IA; Susan Smith of Missouri; Sally Smith of West Des Moines; Sandra Heerdt of Milford, IA; Becky Smith of Los Angeles, CA; Shirley Smith of Springfield, MN; and Betty Towsley of Potomac, MT. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Betty was married for 27 years to Robert Lloyd Smith (Smith Lumber, Milford, IA). Together, they raised their 7 children. Betty, Bob, and family had the fortune to live on West Lake Okoboji (Des Moines Beach). The family enjoyed many years of swimming off their dock, annual camping trips, and the most fabulous Christmas celebrations children could wish for. Betty was happiest in nature and introduced her children to the beauty of the West. But she also loved to be elegant – with her hair in a French twist – and a splash of sparkling costume jewelry. She was mistaken at Lumber Conventions she attended with Bob (Atlanta and Las Vegas) for Zsa Zsa Gabor or a sister, and more than once!
Later in life, her dear companion of over 2 decades, Del Leiss, preceded her in death in 2014. She missed him dearly. Betty’s friends and family helped her celebrate her 98th birthday in February 2025 with over 80 community members attending.
Betty was a fiercely independent woman who possessed wide talents. She was the first woman to serve on the Lakes Regional Hospital Board and held that position for many years. She bought and pulled a variety of campers across country to Texas, California, and places in between. She created loving memories with children and grandchildren as they camped together. She was a fine seamstress, an interior designer, and an excellent cook. She was a good shot with a rifle, hunting in Wyoming each fall with Bob, where they camped in old miners’ tents (sometimes in early-season snow) and fly-fished for trout in western streams. Later in her life, Betty worked at the New Inn Resort, Okoboji; Hill’s Jewelry, Spirit Lake; West Oaks Time Share in Arnolds Park, and most joyously, in her own shops in Arnolds Park and Milford, creating personalized sweatshirts and tee-shirts as well as doing fine alterations for proms, weddings, suits, dresses – she could fix any clothing issues people brought her.
Betty was go-go, all the time, with a gorgeous smile and a generous tip for all service people. Her memory was razor sharp up until the end, remembering childhood friends, adventures, places, and people from through-out her life. She was greatly loved by many people, and her children will miss her dearly. Her funeral was held at Downtown Church, Milford, IA, on Thursday, September 4, 2025. Condolences and memorials can be sent in care of Bill Smith, PO Box 126, Milford, IA 51351.
Turner Jenness Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
