Elizabeth Smedstad

Funeral services for Elizabeth "Beth" Smedstad will be Friday, March 2, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Indherred Lutheran Church, in rural Starbuck, MN, Reverend Paul Johnson will be officiating. Visitation will be Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Starbuck Funeral Home and one hour prior to services at the church on Friday. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Elizabeth Anne Swenson, the daughter of Lyle and Shirley (Jenson) Swenson, was born at the Stevens County Memorial Hospital on August 23, 1956.  Beth was baptized and confirmed at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Hancock.  She attended Hancock High School and after graduation, went on to attend Lutheran Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing, which later became Augsburg College; graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.  Beth started her nursing career at St. Luke’s Hospital in St. Paul, but found she missed her family too much; especially her youngest sister, Lyn, who was only three years old when Beth left for college.  She also missed the friendliness of people in the rural area.  Beth started working at Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria in 1978.  She met Scott Smedstad shortly after moving to Alexandria.  She told her roommate that she had met the man that she would marry – he was the love of her life!  Beth wasn’t sure if they would end up married; but after years of a lot of fun and living, Beth and Scott were united in marriage on July 11, 1987.  Scott and Beth were blessed with one daughter, Anna Marie Smedstad. Beth remained an RN all of her working days, switching her careers numerous times throughout those years.  Her longest employment was at Douglas County Hospital, followed by the Starbuck Hospital, Public Health, ACMC Starbuck and then ended at Public Health.  Her jobs were determined by the state of her health.  Beth was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in her mid-40’s.

Beth enjoyed reading, crafting, quilting, and stamping.  She cherished the time that she was able to spend with her family and friends.  There was nothing she wouldn’t do for her family.

Beth died on Sunday, February 25, 2018 at the Glacial Ridge Hospital in Glenwood.  She was 61 years old.

Beth is survived by her husband, Scott of Starbuck; daughter, Anna Smedstad of Starbuck; one sister, Lyn (Rusty) Gwost of Little Falls; one brother, James (Andrea) Swenson of Morris; sister-in-law, Susan (Mike) Casey of Port Gamble, Washington; brothers-in-law, Thomas (Rhonda) Smedstad of St. Cloud and Stephen Smedstad of Minnetonka; and several nieces and nephews. Beth is preceded in death by her parents, Lyle and Shirley Swenson; grandparents: Anna and Martin Biesterfield, Bill and Clara Jenson and Sven and Alvina Swenson; and brother-in-law Bruce Smedstad.

Starbuck Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements for Beth Smedstad.