Bessie Smith

Bessie I. Smith was born on June 13, 1908 in Bethel, MN, the daughter of Steiner Helga (Wold) Nelson. She grew up and attended school in Bethel. She graduated from high school in 1924 and then attended Normal School. Bessie married Clifford Smith on November 28, 1925 in Anoka. The couple made their home in Anoka and later moved to Beloit, WI. Bessie moved to the Countryside Apartments in Sleepy Eye in 1988 where she made her home until November of 2004 when she moved to the Sleepy Eye Care Center. She loved reading and playing cards. Bessie I. Smith, 98, of Sleepy Eye, MN died on Wednesday, October 11, 2006 at Sleepy Eye Care Center in Sleepy Eye, MN Survivors include her daughters, Mary husband, Bill Horne of Sleepy Eye, Elizabeth L. O'Brien of Northville, Michigan, 15 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, 10 great-great grandchildren, daughter-in-law, Pat Schmeling of Rockford, Ill, sister, Ruth Nelson of Raymore, Missouri and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Clifford, son, E. Allan Smith, son-in-law, Louis O'Brien, 2 sisters and a brother.