Betty Jean Sippel Smith

Betty Jean Sippel Smith, age 86, of San Antonio, Texas formerly of Early, Iowa died on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, October 26, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Early. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will take place on Thursday, October 25, 2018 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. with a rosary at 5:15 p.m. and a vigil service at 7:30 p.m. all at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in STORM LAKE. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Betty Jean Stuenkel was born March 29, 1932, in Storm Lake, Iowa, to Henry and Irene Allison Stuenkel. She attended and graduated from Hayes Consolidated School in rural Storm Lake in 1950. Betty loved to dance, and it was at a dance at the Cobblestone Ballroom that she met her future husband, Bill Sippel, of Schaller. They were married in March 26, 1951 just before Bill was stationed in Japan with the U.S. Navy. Prior to their marriage, Betty converted to the Catholic faith, and it was a source of comfort and devotion for her throughout her life. When Bill returned from his military service, they lived in Omaha, Nebraska, and Conrad, Montana, before returning to Schaller to farm. Throughout their married life in Storm Lake, they continued to enjoy many dances at the Cobblestone, the Schaller VFW, and other area venues. In addition to farming, Bill and Betty had a dairy herd for many years. Betty was a hardworking partner in the farming operation, driving tractors, walking beans, milking cows and raising sheep. She had a love for horses and riding, and she was especially happy when her ewes were lambing. When poor health forced Bill’s early retirement from farming, Bill and Betty bought a home in Victoria, Texas, with hopes of spending their retirement years in a warm climate. Bill died in October 1992. In February of 1995 Betty married Dolen Smith. They enjoyed many years of contented and loving companionship in Victoria until health issues resulted in their move to Poet’s Walk nursing home in San Antonio, where Betty died on October 16. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Lois and brother Cliff, her first husband Bill, and two sons, Neal in 1980 and Larry in 1993. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Dolen Smith, sons Mark (Julie), Steven (Connie), Bill (Alyce), daughter, Lisa, daughter-in-law Susan Beckman (David), stepchildren Della (Roger) Foley, Cindy Short, Judy (Bob) Gersin, Diann (Ron) Reddout, Andy (Cindy) Smith, grandchildren Adam, Heidi, Christopher, Melissa, Jacob, Laura, Molly and Henry Sippel, Nick Sippel, Sarah Babcock, Daniel Sippel, Thomas Sippel, Chelsea Cunningham, Rachael Stegall, Justin Sippel, Jared Sippel, William Sippel JR, Mindy Thompson, Amber Konradi, Hayley Stuckenschneider. 31 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. Also 11 step grandchildren and 9 step great grandchildren.. Also surviving are brothers-in-law Joe Sippel of Des Moines, Iowa, and Jerry Faber of Clear Lake, Iowa and numerous nieces and nephews.

Betty Jean Sippel Smith

March 29, 1932 - October 16, 2018