Jeanette "Jan" Smith

In Loving Memory of Jeanette G. Smith April 1937 – 2026 Jeanette G. Smith, 89, passed away in Wenatchee, Washington at Highgate Senior Living, where she lived with her beloved husband of nearly 70 years, Donald “Don” N. Smith. Jeanette was born in April, 1937, in Fargo, North Dakota, to Roy and Florence Selstrom. She later grew up in Ballard, Washington, alongside her sisters, Joyce Selstrom and Peggy King (Selstrom). On January 12, 1957, Jeanette married Donald N. Smith. Their marriage spanned nearly seven decades and was the foundation of the life they built together. They raised four children: Debbie Southards of Arizona, Karrie Wright of Oregon, Ken Smith of Alabama, and Christa Michel of Washington. After Don retired from his career as a CPA in Wenatchee, he and Jeanette enjoyed the opportunity to travel together. They visited many wonderful places over the years, including Hawaii, Japan and Alaska. Of all their adventures, Jeanette said New Zealand was her favorite trip. Travel wasn't always about seeing somewhere new. With their children and family spread across the country, Jeanette and Don also traveled to spend time with the people they loved. Those trips gave them the opportunity to remain connected to their children and extended family despite the many miles between them. For Jeanette, some of the best destinations were simply wherever family or close friends happened to be. While raising her children, Jeanette devoted much of her life to being a homemaker, but anyone who knew her knew that creativity was an important part of who she was. Jeanette was a talented artist, painter, seamstress, teacher, and crafter. Her hands always seemed to be creating something. Whether she was holding a paintbrush, sitting at a sewing machine, creating ceramic booties for newborns at church, working on a new craft, or helping someone else discover their own artistic ability, she found tremendous joy in making beautiful things. Her love of painting eventually grew beyond a hobby. Jeanette started The Brush Benders and taught painting classes from the studio in her home, sharing both her talent and her enthusiasm for art with others. Over the years, she participated in numerous fairs and competitions, earning awards including Best of Show. Her knowledge and artistic eye also led to opportunities to serve as a judge at many fairs. But the ribbons and awards were only one small part of what art meant to Jeanette. She loved the process of creating and, perhaps even more importantly, sharing that creativity with other people. Through the classes she taught, the groups she participated in, the fairs she attended, and the countless projects she created, Jeanette left pieces of herself in the lives and homes of many people. Her creativity wasn't limited to painting. She loved sewing and crafting and was always finding something new to make. Creating was simply part of her nature. Above everything else, Jeanette's greatest and longest-lasting creation was the family and life she built with Don. From their wedding in January 1957 through nearly 70 years of marriage, they shared a remarkable lifetime together. Jeanette will be remembered as the mother who raised her children, the artist working in her home studio, the teacher sharing what she knew, the traveler who loved seeing the world, and the woman who could seemingly always find another project worth creating. She leaves behind her husband, Donald N. Smith; her four children, Debbie Southards, Karrie Wright, Ken Smith, and Christa Michel; as well as 8 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and the extended family and close friends whose lives she touched. Jeanette spent a lifetime creating beautiful things, exploring the world, and building a family she loved. The most important of those was the life she created with the people she loved. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. A Memorial Service is being held Saturday, September 12th at 2pm at Sage Hills Church. Please express your thoughts and memories on the online guestbook at jonesjonesbetts.com. Arrangements by Jones & Jones – Betts Funeral Home.

Jeanette "Jan" Smith

April 12, 1937 - July 13, 2026