BETTY JO (LOWREY) SMITH WUFLESTAD

Betty Wuflestad, a resident of Warm Beach Senior Community, entered Heaven at age 92 on June 4, 2018, 29 years to the day of the passing of her first husband, Max Smith.

Betty was born to Lewis and Elva Lowrey on May 6, 1926 in Steele, MO.  Being the oldest child of sharecroppers, she learned to work hard at an early age.  Along with her parents and two younger sisters, she picked cotton, dug potatoes, and harvested soy beans, moving often in those early years.

At age 17, Betty graduated from Wardell High School and moved to St. Louis in search of a better life.  A younger brother was born after she left home.  Her first job was as a file clerk for an insurance company, but she soon advanced to typist.  Secretarial work ended up being her life's career.

While living in St. Louis, Betty frequented the USO at Union Station, where she met Max Smith, who was serving in the US Coast Guard.  They were married on December 1, 1944 in Norfolk, VA.

After the war, Max attended Kansas State University.  Following one year of schooling, Max was hired by Honeggers and Company in Forrest, Illinois.  In this small farming community, they both worked at Honeggers and raised their two children.  Max and Betty moved to Washington in April 1987.  They had 2 years together on Camano Island before Max passed on June 4, 1989.

Betty's faith was very important to her.  After serving at the Church of God in Forrest, she extended her love for ministry to Camano Chapel.  It was at the Chapel that Betty and Bob Wuflestad became more than friends, marrying on June 3, 2000.  They were married 11 years living on Camano Island before Bob was called Home on April 23, 2011.  After Bob's passing, Betty began attending Island Baptist.

Betty moved to Warm Beach Senior Community in September 2014.  She moved to WBSC Cedar Court Assisted Living in March 2017.  For the remainder of her life

she received generous and loving care from the wonderful staff at Cedar Court.  It is there that she passed with family at her side.

Betty was preceded in death by parents, Lewis and Elva Lowrey; a nephew, Kenneth Brian Adams, her husbands, Max Smith and Bob Wuflestad; her sister, Virginia Rice and her dear friend, Scott Wait.

She is survived by her children, Judi (Nick) Seegert of Camano Island and Mick Smith (Karen McClintock) of Ashland, OR; sister, Jerri Adams, of Maplewood, MN, brother, David (Mary) Lowrey of Flower Branch, GA; grandchildren, Nick (April) Seegert, Gina Seegert, all of Camano Island, Kelly (Shannon) Scott of Fayetteville, GA, Ryan (Wanda) Smith of Peachtree City, GA; Kara (James) Ward of Canada; Great Grandchildren, Patrick and Victoria Rose, Cole Seegert, Lauren, Annie, and Andrew Scott, Savannah and Max Smith, Brittney Lasiter, Amber White; step-daughters, Karen (Al) Lunde, Gina (Bob) Thorstenson, Lisa Wuflestad all of Seattle; step grandchildren Kristina (Rick) Hagemeier, Andy (Devany) Lunde, Larry (Kristen) Lunde, Martin (Jessica) Lunde, Sylvi, Ingrid, Magnus, and Gunnar Thorstenson; nephews and nieces Kerry (Sharron) Adams, Terry Adams, George (Sue) Rice, Pam (Steve) Griese, Brett (Jana), Chris (Shahn) Busbee; other extended family and many wonderful friends Betty developed over 92 years, including Scott's wife, Connie Wait.

Betty's Memorial Service was held at WBSC Beachwood Lounge on Friday, June 8, 2018 at 1:00 pm, with Pastor Bill Wayland officiating.  Memorials can be made to either Hospice of the Northwest, WBSC Cedar Court Assisted Living, or Island Baptist's Building Fund.