Aletha Mae Van Camp

Aletha Mae (Smith) Van Camp, 93, devoted wife, loving mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away on Friday, September 26, 2025, greeted by her son whom passed in 1968. She was born August 28, 1932 in Wichita, Kansas, the daughter of Frank Lewis and Sadie (Anderson) Smith.

As a lifelong native of Wichita, KS; she sang in the church choir at St. Paul's Methodist Church, was a drum majorette at North High; and loved music theatre and spending time at the Botanica Gardens in Wichita. Aletha was employed with Artistic Formals in Twin Lakes for many years in the 70's, then went to work as a blueprint file clerk for Boeing Aircraft until her retirement.

A devoted wife, she traveled with her husband to many of his World of Outlaws sprint car races but not as a spectator; along with traveling the west coast for many jazz festivals every fall. Aletha enjoyed her lifetime (71 year) membership and association with Beta Sigma Phi, where she held many offices over the years, and loved spending time with her sisters working on different committees. She spent many hours cooking for family and friends and loved to entertain.

As an exceptional seamstress, she created wedding attire, prom dresses, draperies and more. A good day for Aletha was time behind the sewing machine working away.

She is preceded in death by: her parents, Frank and Sadie Smith; her son, Gregory Scott Van Camp; her in-laws, Ellis and Hazel Van Camp; her brother-in-law, Robert Gloe; her brother and sister-in-law, Leonard and Marlene Van Camp; along with her brothers, Francis Smith and Mylo Smith.

She is survived by: her devoted husband of 75 years, Duane Ellis Van Camp; her son, Steven Duane (Connie) Van Camp; her daughter, Teresa (Steve) Van Camp Childs; her sisters, Carolyn (Donald) Williams and Mary Ann (Jack) Murphy; her sister-in-law, Marjory Gloe her grandchildren, Leslie (Zach) Kirkendall, Laura Van Camp, Amy (Raque Gaddis) Childs, Corbin Childs, Caitlin Childs; along with her great-grandchildren, Aleksis Kirkendall, Jonathan Kirkendall, and Jayden Keyes.

Private Family Services.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with: Heartland Hospice, 2872 North Ridge Road, #122, Wichita, Kansas 67205.