Betty Jane Wood

Betty Jane Wood, 75, of Ericson, peacefully met her Maker and loved ones that cared for her throughout her life, September 12, 2024, at the Boone County Health Center in Albion.

Betty was born February 7, 1949, in Grand Island to Paul and Dorothy (Moore) Smeall.

Betty lived in Greeley before moving to Sacramento, CA, where she attended school from kindergarten to 4th grade. In time she moved back to Greeley and was graciously taken in and loved by Rev. Flickinger, his wife Evelyn and their family. Betty lived with them while attending Greeley Public School and North Loup Scotia High School. 

Betty was united in marriage to Danny Thompson on March 1, 1969. To this union two children were born; Bradley D. Thompson and Julia D. Thompson.

Betty was later united in marriage to Lonnie Wood on May 8, 2004 at Ericson. To this union Betty gained an additional son, Dustin Wood. 

Betty was a very involved mother and grandmother, and a big part of her community. She loved attending and supporting Brad and Julie’s school events when they were younger, as well as the events of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also enjoyed card club with numerous friends, Domestic Engineers Women’s Club, Jobs Daughters at the Eastern Star in Scotia, and the North Loup Scotia Community Christian’s Women’s Club. 

Betty’s love for her grandchildren was very evident, and she took great pride in all their accomplishments. Her most prized title was great grandma; she loved those kids so preciously. Betty welcomed everyone into her world with open loving arms, which made people feel so special. She took great pride in entertaining family and friends. A holiday in her home meant there was a plethora of food to choose from, and you could always count on being full enough to skip supper, conversation and laughter was sure to carry everyone through the night; these are the memories everyone will cherish forever. 

Betty enjoyed dancing the night away, thrifting, junk-jaunting, decorating, crafting, painting, planting outdoor flowers, and watching all her DIY shows, her husband Lonnie would say those shows gave her too many ideas (HA!). 

Betty had many special moments in her life, some of them being; all the hours spent with cousins, many trips to Falls City and Nebraska City for family gatherings, weekends, and holidays on the farm with Floyd, Deloris, and family, which built a relationship that Betty truly treasured, many weekends at Uncle Enos and Aunt El’s, and countless trips to Flagstaff, Arizona and St. Cloud, Minnesota visiting her sister Ruthie and Ruthie’s husband Richard and family. Another big part of Betty’s life was upholstering buggies and furniture with her lifelong friend Karen. After Karen’s passing Betty kept in touch and became like a grandma to Karen’s family in Watertown, South Dakota, which she visited often. Betty loved traveling and had been to many places, some of the most memorable being her many trips to Maryland to visit her sister-in-law Susan, and her trips to California, South Carolina, and Arizona. She especially cherished her trips to the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, and Canada, as well as her trip to Thailand with her friend, Lepot. 

Betty was always preparing for next year’s Christmas on December 26. Thanks to this, her family will be able to celebrate one more Christmas with hand-picked gifts. Her family always gave her heck for this, but if there is anything you could learn from Betty, it’s that it is never too soon to start planning. 

Those left to cherish Betty’s memory include her husband Lonnie of Ericson; son Bradley Thompson and special friend Christina Highfill of Wolbach; daughter Julia Thompson of Kearney; son Dustin and Jana Wood of Lincoln; grandchildren Reba and Anthony Mulder, Dylon and Jordan Smedra, Gage Smedra and Whitney Jolliffe, Bailey and Brent Ems, Raegan Wood, Dylan Wood, Lily Wood, Michaela and Johnny Palmer, and Brandi and Matt Pena; great grandchildren Kambrey, Kora, Kelby and Knox Mulder, Dutton Smedra and a sister on the way, Westyn Jolliffe and a sibling on the way, Elias Ems and a brother on the way, Bowen and Barrett Palmer, and Landon, Mason, Irie, Watson and Quinn Pena; sisters-in-law Linda Moores, Susan Wood, Charlie Trojan and Barb Petska; special friends Galen Hansen, Mike and Linda Hill, and Kim Thompson; and best friend Lola Clement. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister and brother-in-law Ruth and Richard Kloss, brother and sister-in-law Jim and Glenda Moores, former in-laws Floyd and Deloris Thompson, brother-in-law Gerry Thompson, and lifelong friend Karen Miller.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Friday, September 27th at the Ericson United Methodist Church. Rev. Duane Waddle will officiate. A private family burial will be held in the Greeley Cemetery.

Visitation will be held one hour before the time of service at the church.

Memorials are suggested to the Ericson United Methodist Church.

Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting the family.