Velma Ruth Smith

Velma Ruth Smith

July 2, 1925 - Feb. 12, 2012

ARAPAHOE, Nebraska -- Velma Ruth Smith, 86, of Arapahoe, died Sunday (Feb. 12, 2012), at Cambridge Memorial Hospital.

She was born July 2, 1925 at Oxford, Nebraska to Oscar and Bessie M. (Shield) Eman.

She graduated from Oxford High School in 1942 at 16 years old. On Aug.26, 1944, she married George Missing at a Texas Army Base and to this union 5 children born; Susie, Richard, Betty, Robert, and Donald. On Nov. 27, 1968, she married Truman (Lee) Smith in Arapahoe, Nebraska. They made their home in Arapahoe, were she worked for the Arapahoe Public Mirror for Jennie Cox for 4 years. She then went to work at Becton-Dickinson at Holdrege, Nebraska for 16 years. She and Lee operated Crossroads in Arapahoe from 1976 to 1986. They moved to Denver, Colorado to work for Housing and Urban Development as managers of apartment complexes in the Lakewood subdivision for eight years. They became managers for Steve & Deb Rosen at Parkview Apartments next to Denver University for 12 years.

After her husband died Nov.26, 1995 she moved back to Arapahoe. She spent the last several months at the Beaver City Manor in Beaver City, Nebraska.

She was a member of the Rebecca Lodge (IOOF), Royal Neighbors of America, V.F.W. and American Legion Auxiliaries and First United Methodist Church of Arapahoe.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Truman (Lee) Smith; sons, Richard, Robert, and Donald Missing; sister, Mirian, Thelma Arlene, Georgia, and Evalyn; brothers; Harley and Carl.

She is survived by daughters, Susie and husband, Elmer Schaefers of Beaver City, Nebraska, Betty June and husband, Howard Johnson, of Cambridge; sister: Donna Smith of Burbank, California; two grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Viewing and visitation will be Wednesday, Feb.15, 2012, from 10 a.m.till 8 p.m. at Wenburg Funeral Home, in Arapahoe, Nebraska. Cremation will follow on Thursday with inurnment on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012, at 1 p.m. at Oxford Cemetery with the Rev. Eldon Fablinger officiating.

Condolences or personal reflections may be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com

Wenburg Funeral Home of Arapahoe, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.