JoAnn (Reitman) Smith, 85, of Hopkins, died Thursday, Dec. 18, at her home.
Born March 29, 1940, in Grand Rapids, she was the daughter of Joseph and Frances Reitman and was the wife of James Allen Smith.
JoAnn had worked at the Monterey Center General Store for more than 30 years and was a longtime, active member of the Dorr Women of the Moose where she loved to help organize parties for the children. Christmas was JoAnn’s favorite holiday and there was not a single thing about the season that did not bring her joy; from her Christmas Village to baking and making candy, to watching her Hallmark movies.
She also enjoyed crocheting, sewing, crafting and going to the casino and relaxing at the window watching her birds and seeing the beautiful flowers in the spring and summer.
Each year, JoAnn and James looked forward to taking a trip to somewhere new after the tourist season was over and children were back in school in the fall. She brought back a bell from each destination and had amassed an impressive collection over the years that will be cherished by her family.
Besides James, her husband of more than 65 years, JoAnn is survived by her children, Kimberly (Roger) Rich, Debbie Smith and Sue Snyder; sisters, Frannie DeKorte and Margie (Bob) Martin; grandchildren, Justin Smith, Cory Henry, Zack (Lisa) Smith, Jeremy (Alexa) Snyder and Samantha (Brad) Kopenski; and great-grandchildren, Zoey, Phoebe, Ollie, Nolan and Jack, several nieces and nephews. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Caroline Iteen.
The family will receive friends at Gorden Funeral Residence, Hopkins Chapel, on Friday, Dec. 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and a service will begin at 1 p.m.. JoAnn will be laid to rest after the funeral at Poplar Hill Cemetery.
