Betty Louise Smith Leavenworth

Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Betty Louise Leavenworth, 82, passed away January 25, 2015 after a long illness. Betty was born on August 11, 1932 in Tilford, Meade, South Dakota to Edward and Dena (Eugenia Elizabeth Reed) Smith. She was the oldest of three daughters.

Betty had the happiest of childhoods in her beloved South Dakota. She first attended school in a one room schoolhouse in Tilford and later attended school in Sturgis. When she was nine years old she moved with her family to Oregon where she attended Troutdale School and Gresham High School.

Betty was married to Harry Leavenworth August 18, 1950 – February 1974. Together they had seven children. They lived in Portland, Cascade Locks, and Gresham.

Betty was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved serving as a Sunday School, Primary, and Relief Society teacher, a scout leader, visiting teacher and Primary President. She enjoyed singing as an alto in the ward choir. She especially loved attending the temple and doing family history.

Betty worked hard to provide for her family. She was employed as a cook, dietitian, and a custodian at various jobs throughout her life.

Betty was a devoted mother. She loved travel, history, reading, playing cards, music and family reunions. She sewed and crafted, gardened and canned. She made holidays and birthdays such special events for her family. She loved and sacrificed so much for her family.

Betty is survived by her two sisters, Mildred Smith and Virginia Sealy, both of Gresham, Oregon, her children, Lois Goodwin of Hillsboro, Oregon, Gary and Pamela Leavenworth of Hood River, Oregon, Celia and Lin Huish of Hyrum, Utah, Paul and Shelly Leavenworth of Rainier, Oregon, Mary and Carl Larsen of Portland, Oregon, Rose Marie and Robert Cameron of Coal City, Illinois, Mark Leavenworth of Portland, Oregon and over 70 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mom, you fought a long and difficult fight but you are at peace now having another cherished family reunion. God be with you ‘til we meet again.

A special thank you to Legacy Hopewell House Hospice for their loving care of our mother in the final days of her life.

Viewing will be on Thursday, January 29, 2015 from 1-5 p.m. at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home in Gresham, Oregon.

Funeral service will be on Friday, January 30, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home located at 520 W. Powell Blvd. in Gresham, Oregon immediately followed by the dedication of the grave at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Gresham.