Deloris Francis Smith, age 85, passed away at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff on Wednesday, December 1, 2021. Deloris was born August 26, 1936 in Clearwater, NE to John and Regina (Kahloff) Tomjack. In 1954, she graduated from Melbeta High School. On August 4, 1956, Deloris married her high school sweetheart, Robert Smith. To this union, three children were born: Rodney Allen, Jeanine Marie, and Russell Ray. Deloris and Bob made their home in Minatare until 1958 when they moved to Bayard, where her passion was being a housewife, mother, and grandmother.
Deloris spent 35 years selling Avon, sliced seed potatoes for Walt and Norma Meier, and spent her summers butchering chickens with good friend, Bev McDaniel. She loved to cook, and for several years, she owned and operated the Barn Door Cafe at Frank Implement Company, and cooked at various other institutions and restaurants in Scottsbluff. In 1955, when she retired, she and Bob spent their winters in Arizona, but enjoyed traveling where they drove their RV through Alaska and Canada. After Bob passed in 2017, she loved playing pinochle with her best friend, Lucille Nuss, and the girls.
Cremation has taken place at Deloris’ request and a memorial has been established to the family to be designated at a later date. Please join the family for a gathering in Deloris’ honour on Sunday, December 5, 2021 from 1-3pm at the Weborg Centre Hospitality Room (South Entrance) in Gering.
Deloris is survived by her son, Russell (Shirley) Smith, Mitchell; daughter, Jeanine Martin, Gering; grandchildren, Joe Smith, Scottsbluff, Amanda (Nick) Kepler, Bridgeport, Kenzie (Jerrick) Bowers, Omaha, and Jerome Smith, Scottsbluff; great grandchildren, Gracie Smith, Payton, Tanner, and Trey Kepler, Addyson Kraski; sister, Mary Ann, Steele; and sisters-in-law, Vonda Walter and Janice Tomjack.
Deloris is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bob; son, Rodney; two brothers and two sisters.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dugankramer.com for the Smith family.