Dianne Beverly Smith

Dianne Beverly Smith of Jackson went to see the Lord on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. Dianne was born on November 20, 1940 to Ivan "Pete" Newman and Dorothy (Shackel) Newman in Fargo, ND.

After living in the Fargo area until her mid-20s, Dianne moved to Billings, MT, where she eventually met Leland Smith, a Billings native. They were married on February 7, 1967 in Cody, WY and resided in Billings with their five children: Michael, Kenneth, Paula, Tracy and Leland. In 1977, Dianne moved with her family from Billings to Riverton, WY and later lived in Rawlins, WY before moving to Michigan in 1987, where she continued to live for the duration of her life. Dianne was devoted to and happily married to Leland for 48 years, until his passing in 2015.

Dianne was well known and highly regarded as a gardener and baker. Her gardens were unmatched in any neighborhood in which she lived and her bread was the envy of many a bakery. Beginning in the early 1980s, she worked as a dental assistant for many years before retiring.

Dianne is survived by her brothers Jim Newman (Oregon), John Newman (Iowa), Douglas Newman (Arizona) and her sister, Shirley Wright (Colorado). She is also survived by her children, Kenneth Smith of Columbia, KY, Paula Tronson of Great Falls, MT, Tracy (Hank) Williams of Jackson, MI, Leland (Danielle) Smith of Fredericksburg, VA and her daughter-in-law, Janet (Michael) Smith. Dianne has left behind a legacy of 18 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

Dianne was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Phyllis Fales, her eldest child, Michael; and her beloved husband, Leland.

Private services and burial will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI on July 8, 2024.