Memorial
Elizabeth Lynn Smith, 71, of Lisbon, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, December 3rd, 2023. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 16th at Springs of Life Foursquare Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Reception to follow.
Elizabeth was born on September 13th, 1952, in Oelwein, IA, the daughter of Delmar & Mildred (Barnes) Behrens. She graduated from Jefferson High School. Shortly thereafter on November 16th, 1970, Elizabeth was united in marriage to Richard A. Smith at First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, IA.
She worked as a school bus driver for Cedar Rapids Community School District Transportation. She enjoyed her job and worked there for 30+ years before retiring in 2020. The part of retirement she looked forward to the most was not having to wake up so early in the morning anymore.
Elizabeth was known for her creativity, generosity and love for her family. She enjoyed God’s creations including horses and penguins which she said looked like they could use a good squeeze. She had a passion for flowers and was very talented in designing flower beds and creating arrangements out of both real and artificial flowers. She enjoyed food, especially wild mushrooms, popcorn with lots of butter and seafood but her favorite was a nice cold frosted lemonade from Chick-Fil-A.
What Elizabeth loved most in life was her family. She enjoyed hosting family gatherings where she would prepare good food and spend lots of time talking to everyone. She always had a project in motion and enjoyed giving without expecting anything in return.
Elizabeth loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Her personal bible was worn to the point of falling apart but she wanted no other because of the many notes and highlights she made within it over the course of her life. She found joy and hope in the Lord through her many trials and triumphs. We will miss her dearly but know that we will one day be reunited with her in the presence of our Father in heaven.
Elizabeth is survived and lovingly remembered by her husband, Richard Smith of Lisbon, IA; her three children, Richard (Tina) Smith, David (Starla) Smith and Laurie (Nicholas) Williams, all of Cedar Rapids; five grandchildren, Dallas Nejedly, Sarah (Jonathan) Furrow, David Smith, Tyler Smith & Jamie Fox; six greatgrandchildren, Ellysia, Savanna, Benaiah, Annabelle, Paisley & Isaac; two brothers Ronald (Lorrie) Behrens of Roxboro, NC and Mark (Vanessa) Behrens of Maricopa, AZ; along with many nephews & nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Delmar (Mildred) Behrens; and her older brother Steven Behrens.