Person:Elizabeth Cram (1)

Obituary: Elizabeth "Bette" L. Smith, 78, of Loveland died Dec. 10, 2003, at her home.

    Elizabeth Lea Cram was born Nov. 21, 1925, in Lohrville, Iowa, to Carson and Margaret Cram. She grew up in Lake View, Iowa. During World War II, she worked for the Union Pacific Railroad in Omaha, Neb., and played basketball on the company team.
    She married George "Kelly" Smith in Omaha in 1947. He preceded her in death.
    They lived for a few years in Lake View before moving to Odebolt, Iowa. They moved a country schoolhouse into town, renovating it as their family home. In 1965, the family moved to South Sioux City, Neb., later moving to Amarillo, Texas, in 1972, Dakota City, Neb., in 1977, and Omaha in 1987.
    Mrs. Smith saw her dream come true in 1987, when she and her husband purchased a cabin and mountain acreage in the Stove Prairie area west of Fort Collins. She spent many summers and falls at the cabin and enjoyed sharing her mountain home with family and friends. She preferred to live at the cabin, but failing health eventually forced her to move to Loveland in 2002.
    She was town clerk for Odebolt, Iowa, and later worked for the city of South Sioux City. She was in the IRS Taxpayer Service for many years and continued to volunteer her time to help people with their taxes well after her retirement.
    She was a skilled seamstress and enjoyed reading and playing bridge, cribbage and Scrabble. She was an outdoor person and enjoyed caring for her mountain property, trimming trees and making improvements. She had an outgoing, friendly personality, always interested in others, and she enjoyed visiting with friends and strangers alike. She liked family get-togethers and always made Christmas a special time for her family.
    Mrs. Smith is survived by her mother, Margaret Cram of Lake View; five children, Jackie Terry and Diane Thies, both of Omaha, Georgia Zastrow and husband Dick of Loveland, Doug Smith and wife Beth in Israel, and Kim Hogstad and wife Brian of Pine Island, Minn.; two sisters, Jo Leonard of Des Moines, Iowa, and Sadee Frank of Lake View; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
    She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Kelli Zastrow.
    A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. Dec. 16 at the Presbyterian Church in Odebolt, Iowa.
    In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Hospice of Larimer County, the American Cancer Society and the Rist Canyon Fire Department in care of Goes Funeral Care, 3665 Canal Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80524. 

1. ↑ 1930 Census of Lake View, Sac County, Iowa, ED number 24
   p. 236.
2. ↑ Obituary received from Barton Brorsen at econometrics15@@mail.com.
3. ↑ Obituary of Elizabeth Smith received from Barton Brorsen at econometrics15@@mail.com.
4. ↑ 1930 Census of Lake View, Sac County, Iowa, ED number 24
   p. 236.
5. ↑ Obituary of Elizabeth Smith received from Barton Brorsen at econometrics15@@mail.com.
6. ↑ Social Security Death Index.
7. ↑ Obituary received from Barton Brorsen at econometrics15@@mail.com.
8. ↑ Social Security Death Index.