Lona Jean Smith

Lona Jean Smith, 87, passed away April 17, 2007 at the Life Care Center in Richland. She was born in Rock Lake, North Dakota on August 16, 1919 to William and Myrtle Rimel.

After graduating from Santa Ana High School in California, she studied cosmetology, earning a license to operate as a hairdresser and cosmetician from the state board of cosmetology in the state of California.

Lona married Sidney W. Smith in January 1942. After the war, she and Sidney began raising a family, three sons and a daughter. At this time she became a full time homemaker.

In 1954, she and Sidney packed the family up and moved to Richland, leaving Southern California. This was one of the bet decisions they made concerning our family.

Mom loved being a homemaker through good and bad times; she was the ‘Rock’ in our family. Lona enjoyed teaching her children good morals and ethics, respectability and kindness toward others, and the foundations that lead to becoming good human beings. She was always there for you in sickness and health, and providing comfort when tragedies occurred. She will be greatly missed.

Lona enjoyed camping and fishing trips, family BBQ’S and get-togethers, sewing and crocheting. She was a willing participant in all her children’s school and sporting activities and events.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Sidney; daughter, Debbie and husband Bruce Boudreau; sons, Don and Dean and wife Bonnie; grandsons, Dean and Chris Bonewell and James Baxter and sister Lou Thomas.

Lona was preceded in death by her son, Dennis, her parents, William and Myrtle Rimel; and brothers, Raymond and Luther Rimel.

Thank you for all the wonderful memories.