Rachel Ora Smith
September 18, 1922 - May 05, 2021
Obituary
MADISON - Rachel (Beld) Smith, age 98, of Madison, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at McFarland Villa. She was born on Sept. 18, 1922, in Bloom City, Wis., the daughter of Thomas and Freda (Elliot) Leatherberry. Rachel married George Beld in 1946 in Madison, where they raised their four children. In 1975 Rachel married Frederic Smith. They enjoyed traveling together on road trips across the country.
Rachel waitressed for many years at the Dairy Bar and Country Kitchen, where she made many lifelong friends. She enjoyed reading, needle point and playing euchre. She especially loved to visit with her large circle of family and friends. While she could travel, she looked forward to her annual trip to visit her son and family in California.
Rachel is survived by her son, Jeffrey (Denise) Beld; daughter, Janice (Lucas) Piper; daughter-in-law, Peggy Beld; grandchildren, Liana and Giselle Beld, Matt and Christina Beld, and Logan and Megan Piper; great-grandchildren, Diamond and Darius Washington and Kitarus Joyner; and many special nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Richard Leatherberry; sisters, Carmen Jones and Shirley Brown; sons, Samuel Thomas Beld and Gary Beld; and husbands, George Beld and Fred Smith.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of McFarland Villa for taking care of Mom in her final years. You all had a special place in her heart. We would also like to thank Dakota and Amy with St. Croix Hospice.
A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 1150 Park St., Oregon, at 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 19, 2021. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 12 noon until the time of the service on Saturday. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
Events
Visitation
Sat Jun 19, 2021 @ 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Oregon Funeral & Cremation Care • 1150 Park St., Oregon, WI 53575
Funeral Service
Sat Jun 19, 2021 @ 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM CDT
Gunderson Oregon Funeral & Cremation Care • 1150 Park St., Oregon, WI 53575
Luncheon After Service
Sat Jun 19, 2021 @ 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM CDT
Gunderson Oregon Funeral & Cremation Care • 1150 Park St., Oregon, WI 53575
Photos
No photos of Rachel have been shared yet.
Memories
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Margaret M Milstein
Other •
Rachel was my best friend, Janice's Mom. Janice and I were born and grew up right next door to each other. My next older sister, Clare and I shared Janice as best friend, and Rachel as second Mom. Rachel always had red pop at the ready to give us kids a treat. She worked so hard as a waitress, but she never begrudged us sneeking change out of her earnings to buy candy. I know you knew what we were doing, Rachel. I will keep your gall stones for you, and thank you for giving me this part of you. I love you so much, it will follow you to heaven! Your Miss Marge.
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nthompto
Other •
I am sorry to read of the passing of Rachel. I only met her once or twice. She was a very smiley, happy person. Her son, Tom, was a very special person to me & He will always be in my heart. I pray her passing was peaceful & she is now with her sons. Prayers for the family.
CS
Clare Soden
Other •
Dear Janice, Luke, Logan, Megan, Jeff & Denise, We are so sorry for the loss of your sweet Mom and Grandma. Rachel was like our second mother as Marge and I spent so much of our childhood days at your house with Janice playing dolls, listening to records, having an occasional soda (which we did not have at our house). Rachel was smart but easy-going, with a great laugh and sweet voice. If we weren't at your house we were playing in the park or woods behind our houses. I remember hearing your Mom call out "Janice Marie Beld... and then lament about what had we been up to..." but she never got mad. In her eyes, we were good kids and we could do no wrong. Your Mom was amazing - she cared for everyone and never complained. She worked hard but also enjoyed her time socializing with neighbors and friends. I cherish the pillow she crocheted for my wedding. I was thrilled to get a call from her after her last surgery. Thank you Rachel for being a beacon of Light in my life! I'll love you forever. Clare
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Sandy Bennett
Other •
We lived on Oak Street when I was growing up. My brother, Glenn, was a friend of Tom and Gary's and my mom worked with Rachel at the Dairy Bar in the early 1950's. Those times and the people who lived them are remembered fondly. I am so glad I was able to visit with "Mrs. Beld" at the Oak St reunion Mary and Jane Raynoha organized in 2011 and deeply sorry we have lost another of that generation of beloved Oak Street mothers. Sandy Bennett