Elizabeth Lorraine Smedema

Elizabeth Lorraine Smedema, age 81 of Cambria, died unexpectedly on Thursday, September 13, 2012 at her home.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at Second Christian Reformed Church, 332 Tamarack St., Randolph, WI with Rev. Karl Bratt officiating. Burial will follow in Friesland Cemetery.

Betty’s family will receiverelatives and friends onMonday from 5 – 8 p.m. at the church, and on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

Memorials in Betty’s name may be directed to the Randolph Christian School, 457 Second Street, Randolph WI, 53956.

Betty was born on February 20, 1931 in Columbia County, WI, a daughter to Louis and Anna (Tamminga) Jansma. On November 23, 1951 she was united in marriage to Jack Smedema at the Second Christian Reformed Church in Randolph. Betty was a devoted wife and loving mother who enjoyed being a homemaker. She excelled at cooking and baking and taking care of her family. Betty was a lifelong member of the Second Christian Reformed Church in Randolph where she was formerly active as a Calvinette leader and sang in the Choir. She carried her love of singing on to her daughters, and they often sang together in churches and nursing homes. They also have fond memories of singing together in the car while traveling. Betty was gifted in gardening; loved flowers and working at Floral Arts & Gifts in Friesland. She was an adoring grandmother and great-grandmother who enjoyed babysitting and looked forward to the birth of three new great-grandchildren.

Betty is survived by Jack, her husband of 60 years, four daughters; Patricia (Jeff) Christian, Cynthia (Larry) Ruiter, both of Randolph, Mary (David) Katsma, Melinda (Bradley) Kemink, both of Cambria, her son, Darren (Melissa) Smedema, Cambria, 15 grandchildren; Brooke and Rachel Christian, Lynn (Dave) Green, Lori (Scott) Cuppiciotti, Kurt and Patty Ruiter, Lauren (Kevin) Tillema, Janelle Katsma (fiancé, Mike Kartechner) Vanessa Katsma, Melissa (Nate) Bresser, Brett (Jessica) Kemink, Megan Kemink (fiancé,Jordan Wendlandt), Jack, Brayden, and Nolan Smedema, five great-grandchildren; Austin, Kyleigh, Chloe, Collin, and Natalie, her sister, Ellie (Rev. Archie) Bazuin, IL, sisters-in-law, Nancy Jansma, Randolph, Babe Koorndyk, CA, Bernie Guess, Nevada, and Ann Smedema, Cambria, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Lee Jansma, and three brothers-in-law; Ken Koorndyk, Dan Guess, and Toby Smedema.

Randolph Community Funeral Home is assisting the family.