Elizabeth "Betty" Josephine Smith

Elizabeth Josephine Smith, better known as Betty, was born to Leo and Penelope Neumann on May 25, 1939, at a teaching hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was the fourth of eight children, and for the first six years of her education, she attended a one-room schoolhouse near Mora, Minnesota. Betty had several responsibilities in the schoolhouse. She was tasked with building the fire each morning and sweeping the floors at the end of the day. She would then walk back to the farm and help with chores. These early life lessons stayed with her forever. When she was in junior high, her family moved to Englewood, Colorado. During her high school years, the family moved to Eagle, Colorado, and Betty graduated as the valedictorian of her class.

Shortly after graduation, Betty married the love of her life, George Smith. She and George built a beautiful life together and raised three daughters in Eagle. They enjoyed family camping trips, bowling leagues, softball games, gardening, and attending their daughters’ sporting events. Betty worked full-time at a variety of jobs in her life. She was a waitress, a grocery store checker, a bank bookkeeper, and a medical receptionist at the Eagle Medical Clinic. Even though she worked full-time, she was also an amazing homemaker. Their home was small, but it was always tidy. There were always home-cooked meals, and the girls’ clothes were always clean and neat. She was a skilled seamstress, sewing and repairing the family’s clothing as needed. She always said, “It’s not what you have, it is how you take care of what you have.”

One of her greatest accomplishments was making sure that her three daughters had the skills and education she knew they would need to be self-reliant. It was a nonnegotiable expectation that each of the girls would obtain a college education and get a good job.

Once the nest was empty, she and George enjoyed traveling. Their trips often included gambling in a casino somewhere. At home, they loved socializing with good friends and family. She had several hobbies, including reading, painting driftwood Santas, and constructing Christmas crafts. Their home was always open to anyone wanting a cold beer and a plate at the table. Later, four grandchildren became a source of pride for them. They loved each of them in a special way and enjoyed spending time with them.

In 1999, George and Betty moved to Grand Junction, Colorado, and began a new chapter in their lives. They made many new friends through their workouts at the club and by attending Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. After a battle with cancer, George passed away in 2014, and Betty pulled herself up by the bootstraps and, through steadfast determination, was able to find happiness as a single,, older woman. She bought a new home, maintained relationships with her Eagle friends, joined multiple card clubs, stayed active in the church, and most recently enjoyed a remarkable connection with her neighborhood friends, who gathered regularly for sips at Trader’s Coffee Shop. She was known for her upbeat personality and wonderful sense of humor. She brought fun and laughter to every gathering. Her family is especially grateful to Dick Lytle for becoming her faithful companion to numerous concerts, car shows, and church events.

In the last months of her life, she valiantly battled lung cancer, succumbing to infections and side effects of her treatments. Betty passed away surrounded by her three daughters at Hope West Care Center in Grand Junction. Betty was predeceased by her parents, brothers (John, Melvin, and Kevin Neumann) and sisters (Ann Evans, Kay Harlan, and Coleen Speir), her husband, George, and her son-in-law, Dennis Haptonstall.

Survivors include her sister, Laura Wasilowski (Steve), her daughters, Valerie (Larry) Black, Tamara Smith, and Marcie (Mike) Gass. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Ian (Macey) Black, Michael Black (Carsyn Randolph), Reagen (Bradley) Bookbinder, and Kaden Gass. Betty was blessed with one great-grandchild, George Beau Black. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, as well as several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, with whom she remained close.

Services will be held At Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Grand Junction on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 11:00 am. A reception will follow in the parish hall. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 11:00 am at Sunset View Cemetery in Eagle. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Hope West Hospice, 3090 N. 12th St. Grand Junction, CO 81506. Contributions can also be made online in Betty’s name at https://www.hopewestco.org/donate/