1962-2022
Elizabeth Allyson (Bowen) Smith, age 60, left this earthly life to join her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022. Visitation for Beth will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, December 17, at Hope Community Church, 4408 County Rd. B , Manitowoc, followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m., led by Pastor Jed Manders. The service will also be made available by livestream. Cremation and private interment will follow at a later date.
Beth was born in Germantown, on June 26, 1962, to Robert Orville and Sherin Rose (Lemke) Bowen. The family moved to Stevens Point, in 1966, where her father became professor at the University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point. She spent the majority of her youth living on the family’s Rocky Ridge Farm, just outside of town, a setting where she developed the value of hard work and her love for animals.
Beth graduated with high honors from Stevens Point Area Senior High School (SPASH) with the class of 1980. She furthered her education at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, earning her bachelor’s degree in Resource Management from the College of Natural Resources and graduating with honors receiving the Chancellor’s Award in 1984. She was involved in the Navigators student organization at UWSP as well, where she met the man who would become her husband. She was a true scholar and was accepted into the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Wisconsin, an offer she was honored to receive but declined. On July 6, 1985, she was united in marriage to Glenn A. Smith at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Stevens Point. They moved to Madison, where Glenn attended medical school and Beth worked at the University of Wisconsin and Veterans Administration Hospital doing laboratory research. The couple then moved to La Crosse, in 1989 where she was involved in women’s ministry and worked at the Indochinese Screening Clinic serving the Hmong American population in the area. Beth gave birth to their first-born, Win, while in La Crosse. They moved to Two Rivers, in 1992, where their children Torie and McKenzie were born. Beth served in many volunteer roles in her church and community, did substitute teaching in the Two Rivers School District, and most recently, worked as a sales associate for Kohl’s Department Store where she loved her work, co-workers and customers alike.
Beth was very dedicated to her family and her faith. In 1996, Beth and Glenn were founding members of Hope Community Church, and have been very active, faithful members. She was passionate about sharing her love of books and reading and thus served as the Church Librarian for over 20 years. She was head of women’s ministry, personally leading many Bible Study Groups helping bring God’s word into people’s daily lives. She also was part of several Mission Trips with Hope Church, which helped support the people of Guatemala, and was also very involved and supportive of Wisconsin Nicaragua Partners making over 10 trips to Nicaragua over the years with her mother, sister, children and other family members. Beth also traveled to the countries of Myanmar and Viet Nam on a women’s ministry mission trip. Locally, she was passionate about volunteering hundreds of hours at The Crossing of Manitowoc County, bringing beauty to their gardens and grounds.
Beth was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend to many. She welcomed countless people into her home for a meal, a month, or more, including hosting 5 exchange students who became dear to the whole family. Her cooking, baking and hospitality were legendary. It has been said that “if you don’t leave Beth’s home completely full after a meal, it’s your own fault!” Beth was vigorous in every way. She took on tasks that many would shy away from simply because “somebody needs to do it and it may as well be me- and could be you too!” She helped countless people in her community with life crises whether making chicken soup the “right way”, i.e. from scratch, for an ill friend, or helping facilitate an entire household move for someone in her Bible Study one Easter weekend, she was “all in.” Beth had a deep interest and respect in all things outdoors. She got her SCUBA certification at age 50 and accompanied her father on dive trips to Bonaire. She also treasured the time spent with family at their cottage on Lake Esadore in Medford, swimming, canoeing, paddleboarding and of course hosting many others. The Two Rivers area was her first love and she took full advantage of its natural beauty enjoying family activities such as biking, hiking, skiing the trails in the forest, and countless walks on the beach of Lake Michigan. She would get up at dawn and walk the beach for miles on her own- and always coming back with bags of trash. She was a true steward of the environment and God’s creation, and recycling was a passion for her- “even #5 plastics can be recycled you know!” Beth also loved her horse, Sundance. She was an expert rider and riding with family and friends was a joy for her. She appreciated all living things and could name any wild plant when out in the woods on a hike and loved educating us all. She was also an excellent gardener, cultivating many beautiful flower gardens and a house full of plants. Beth brought so much beauty into this world and into our lives that we will treasure for a lifetime. Dear Beth, you will be missed on this Earth, but remain in our hearts forever. We know you are rejoicing and at peace this Day.
She is survived by her husband, Dr. Glenn Smith; three loving daughters, Winter Marie (Clary) Green of St. Louis, Mo., Victoria Rose (James) Lettow of Pittsburgh, Pa., and McKenzie Elizabeth (Matthew) Hunt of Iowa City, Iowa; her father, Robert Orville Bowen of Stevens Point; and siblings, Robert Bowen Jr. (Pamela Peck) of Chapel Hill, N.C., Bryan (Nancy Rhode) Bowen of Spirit, and Amy (Brian) Wiza of Stevens Point; along with many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and many, many dear friends.
Beth was preceded in death most notably by her beloved grandmother, June Lemke; mother, Sherin Rose (Lemke) Bowen; and her father and mother inlaw, Don and Zannie Smith.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.dejamartin.com.
Deja & Martin Funeral Chapels of Two Rivers is assisting the Smith family with funeral arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to: Wisconsin Nicaragua Partners Association, Operation Christmas Child/Samaritan’s Purse, The Crossing of Manitowoc County, and NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).
Paid Obituary 130041
