WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Betty J. Jakkola, age 91, a longtime resident of Wakefield, passed away peacefully Sunday evening, Sept. 6, 2015, at her home.

Betty was born on April 21, 1924, in Rhinelander, Wis., the daughter of Jacob "John" and Katherine Schmid. She attended Catholic school in Rhinelander through the sixth grade. When Betty was a teenager, her family moved to Thomaston, and she attended school in Wakefield.

Betty was united in marriage to Cecil W. Smith. The young couple made their home in Flint and Rochester and were blessed with six children. After 26 years of marriage, Cecil preceded her in death at the untimely age of 52. Following his death, she moved back to Wakefield.


On May 1, 1972, Betty married Wilho Jakkola in Bessemer. They celebrated 38 years of marriage before his passing on Aug. 12, 2003. They enjoyed traveling and for many years spent their winters in Texas. She and Wilho made one special trip to Alaska, a time that she treasured forever.

Betty was a homemaker and in her earlier years, loved working part-time at the Gogebic Medical Care Facility.

When Betty became homebound, she took pleasure in baking and cooking, watching Tiger Woods play golf, NASCAR racing, and any law and order type show on television. She was an avid reader, especially mystery and Western books. Betty was a proud bowler with an average of 168 and used a 16 pound ball. Her favorite pastimes were scratch off lottery tickets and playing in a Smear league and any other type of card games.

Betty is survived by two sons, Richard (Barbara) Smith and Robert Smith, both of Michigan; three daughters, Charlotte (Don) Cole and Marjorie Tapner, both of Michigan, and Katherine Smith, of Minnesota; 22 grandchildren; loving great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, who called her "GeGe"; a brother, Donald Schmid; many nieces and nephews, including a special nephew who visited her earlier the day she passed away, John Perry; seven half-siblings, Dan, David, Diane, Darlene, Jimmy, Pat and Mike, all of Wyoming; and dear friends and neighbors, Dave and Bette (Berga) Bowen, who helped her on a daily basis.

Besides her husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents; her son and daughter-in-law, Alan and Rose Smith, a grandson, Larry Cook; her stepson, Sheldon Jakkola; her son-in-law, Ted Tapner; and two brothers, Bobby and Jack Schmid.

Per Betty's wishes, cremation has taken place and no services will be held.

Arrangements are under the direction of Jerald Rocco, owner-manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Online condolences may be made at lakesidememorialchapel.com.