Betty L. Quaethem (Smith) passed away on November 29th, 2022, in the comfort of her home

with family by her side. Betty, the daughter of Lester and Eldora (Newman) Smith, was born on May 29th, 1937, in the community of Bucoda near Senath, Missouri. After graduating from Senath High School in 1955, Betty moved to St. Louis, MO., where she attended classes at Washington University. She held positions at Southwestern Bell and Fournier Architects in St. Louis, MO. and at Booz Allen in Kansas City, MO., before opening the Coach House Restaurant in Ballwin, Missouri with her husband, Frank L. Quaethem. After their divorce, Betty bought the Coach House and continued in her role as owner and operator for many joyful years, during which time she loved

spending weekends in her 1840's manor house in Marthasville, MO. In her retirement, Betty bought and restored a house in Gray Summit, Missouri, where she reveled in her solitude. She enjoyed driving her red truck, shopping, word puzzles, Jeopardy, watching birds visit feeders on her porch, and growing cherry tomatoes and basil. She loved reading biographies, the works of Robert Frost and Edgar Allen Poe, and reminiscing about people she had known throughout her fulfilling life.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents, Lester Smith and Eldora (Newman), siblings Hattie Sue Jones (Smith), Jerry Austin Smith, Mitchel Smith, and her ex-husband, Frank L. Quaethem, with whom Betty maintained a close friendship until his death.

Betty is survived by two daughters: Tracy Van Quaethem (Dan Mahala) of Kansas City, MO., and Kristan L. Matter (COL Matthew D Matter (ret)) of Fallon, Nevada; four grandchildren: Alton Van Quaethem of Kansas City, MO., Benjamin Mahala (Kristalynn Wells) of Baltimore, MD., Alexandria Matter of Roanoke, VA., and Elijah Matter of Fallon, Nevada; and three siblings: Lester Gene Smith of Senath, MO., Donnie Owen Smith of Rolla, MO., and Judy Osburn (Smith) of Trumann, AR.. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Betty's honor to either the

American Heart Association or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network .