Bertys Smolinski

10/18/1919 — 11/15/2014

• Send a Condolence

Bertys Smolinski was born Oct. 18, 1919, in Asotin, to Finis and Josephine Parsley. She passed away Nov. 15, 2014, at Clearwater Health and Rehab in Orofino.

Her early childhood years were spent in the Anatone area, where she attended school. The family moved a lot because of work. The family would later settle in Clarkston, where Bertys met Wallace Smolinski, whom she married Aug. 29, 1936. They made their home in the Weippe/Fraser area, where they raised three children, Betty Smolinski Crutcher, Shirley Smolinski Lutes and Jerry Smolinski.

Work on the farm could be hard, and it was nothing to see Bertys in the field on a Cat, clearing the land on the Fraser farm with her children while Wallace was logging the timber. There was always room for another plate at her dinner table. She loved to cook, and you could tell it in her perfect pies. A lot of the food came from the garden or hunting on the Weitas Butte. Not only did she cook at the hunting camps, but also harvested her own share of the elk. Bertys enjoyed the camping and fishing trips with her family on the North Fork and Lochsa. One of her favorites was the annual Wilderness Gateway on the Lochsa.

Upon the selling of the farm, Wallace and Bertys moved to Lewiston. At the age of 50, Bertys received her General Education Development certificate and started her dream of becoming a nurse. It was cut short, as they later moved back to Weippe where they built their log home.

For several years, she helped with the Clearwater County Extension Office and could be found at the fair building assisting with the judging during Lumberjack Days. She also worked for the school district as an aide in the Weippe area. It was nothing for her to have a following of children on the playground, and she had to mend the hole in her coat more than once from the warming of all the little hands.

One of Bertys' favorite pastimes was "kicking her heels up" at the local dances in the area. Throughout the years, there was the sound of the Yahtzee dice, the clinking of marbles in Chinese checkers, the "crown me" from checkers and the laughter from the many card parties with her friends and family.

Upon the passing of Wallace, Bertys moved to Orofino and became a resident of Brookside Landing for 12 years. During that time, she enjoyed the activities with her many friends and her companion, Floyd Toliver.

Bertys touched a lot of lives in her 95-year span with her smile, a hug, and of course, her honesty. She will be greatly missed. Bertys was cremated, and a family gathering will be held in the spring.

Bertys was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Eugene and Bill Parsley; husband Wallace; daughter Betty Crutcher (Jim); one grandson, David Lutes; and great-grandson Casey Harris.

Bertys is survived by her daughter, Shirley Lutes (Keith); son Jerry Smolinski (Sheryl); and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Offer Condolences

Professional Service

✔ Since 1924
✔ Burial or Cremation Services
✔ Pre-Arranged Funeral Plans
✔ Web-Casting
✔ Modern Comfortable Facility
✔ Up-To-Date Audio/Video

Contact Information

The administrative offices are open Monday - Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday are by appointment only.