Florence “Flossy” Smette

Upham

Florence “Flossy” Smette, age 89 of Upham, passed away on Sunday, March 8 ,2026 at a Velva nursing home. Her funeral will be held on Friday, March 13, 2026 at 11:00 am at the New Hope Lutheran Church in Upham. Visitation will be on Thursday from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau. There will be a time of lunch and fellowship held at the Upham American Legion Hall following the service.

Florence E. (Klebe) Smette was born March 17, 1936, to Reinhold and Mathilda (Burmeister) Klebe on the family farm in rural Willow City, North Dakota. She was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church of rural Willow City. Florence attended country school in the Willow Creek area, graduating from Willow City High School, and later earned her teaching degree from Minot State College. She began her career teaching country school in the Willow Creek area.

On September 2, 1956, Florence married Donald James Smette at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Willow Creek. They made their first home in Bantry, North Dakota, where Donald worked as a road maintenance operator and Florence taught country school. In August of 1961, they moved to Balta, where Donald became an agent for Standard Oil.

In 1966, Donald and Florence moved to Upham, where they established their home and business and raised their family. Together, they spent 43 years distributing petroleum products through Standard Oil / Smette Oil Co., retiring in 2003. They especially enjoyed the camaraderie they shared with their customers and friends through the years.

For over 20 years, Florence later worked at the First National Bank, Bottineau Branch Bank in Upham, where she was known for her reliability and strong work ethic.

Together they raised four daughters: Elaine, Dianne, Janelle, and Dawn Amy. Florence often said that her greatest accomplishment in life was raising her four daughters, and she took great pride in the family they built together.

Florence and Donald especially loved and enjoyed their grandchildren, who were a great blessing in their lives and brought them much pride and joy.

Florence was deeply devoted to her faith and her church family. She was an active member of New Hope Lutheran Church, where quilting became a calling and gave her a meaningful way to serve alongside the church ladies. Her faith was strong and central to her life.

Florence was an avid gardener and often referred to her garden as her “happy place.” She spent many hours tending it and took great pride in preserving the abundance from her garden. She enjoyed bringing joy to others with bouquets from her beautiful flower gardens. She enjoyed many craft projects and was also known for her wonderful cooking and baking, sharing many meals and baked goods with family and friends through the years.

After retirement, Florence especially enjoyed spending time with her sisters and traveling together on bus tours. She cherished time spent with family and friends and was grateful for the many relationships she built throughout her life.

Florence passed away on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at the Souris Valley Care Center in Velva, North Dakota. Surrounded by love, she was called Home to her Lord and Savior.

Florence is survived by her four daughters: Elaine (Steve) Roy of Townsend, Montana; Dianne (Jim) Johnson of Devils Lake, North Dakota; Janelle (Greg) Blasingame of Stockbridge, Georgia; and Dawn Amy (Brian) Berg of Max, North Dakota; grandchildren, Ribana Olson, Adalynn Rath, Jace Johnson, and Tanner Berg; her brother, Ron (Norma) Klebe of Willow City, North Dakota; and many nieces and nephews.

Florence was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; her parents, Reinhold and Mathilda Klebe; her granddaughter, Andrea; her brothers, Robert and Wilbert Klebe; and her sisters, Laurine Schulz and Doris Miller.

Florence was a strong woman who will be remembered for her kind and gentle spirit. She remained active in her church and community and devotedly served others through her faith and generosity.

Family and friends are welcome to join in celebrating the life of Florence “Flossy” Smette.

A meal and time of fellowship will follow the service at the Upham Legion Hall.

Arrangements are with Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau. Friends may sign the online register book at www.nerofuneralhome.net.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to New Hope Lutheran Church, Bloomfield Lutheran Cemetery, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Published by The Minot Daily News, March 12, 2026.