Betty Hall Klusmeier

Betty Hall Klusmeier, 89, of Fort Smith, died Saturday, June 1, 2013, in Mercy Hospital, Fort Smith, Arkansas. Memorial celebration services will be held at 11 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Fort Smith under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. Visitation for family and friends will follow immediately in the Northex Reception area of the church. Memorials can be made to First United Methodist Church or to the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. Betty Hall was born July 22, 1923, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to Minnie Southard and Herbert N. Hall. She graduated from Fort Smith High School, Westark Junior College, and Park College in Parkville, Mo., with a BA degree in Performing Arts. Betty married her high school sweetheart, William Walter Klusmeier, on April 23, 1944, beginning a 69 year journey of love, laughter, and adventure. Together, they raised and inspired five children, Gail and husband Steve Harrington, of Bentonville; Carol and husband Perry Amerine, of Little Rock; Lynn and husband Michael Bain, of Pocola, Okla.; Leigh and husband Bill Freeze of Bentonville; and last, but not least, Walt and wife Lisa Klusmeier, of Seattle, Wash. These children gave Bill and Betty 17 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren with two more on the way. Betty Hall came into this world with a twinkle in her eyes and a skip in her step that was complemented by strength of character and an indomitable will. Betty never met a stranger and had a smile that lit up her face. She was a Thespian at heart and for years played numerous roles in both the Children's Theater, organized by the Fort Smith Junior League, and the Fort Smith Little Theater. Betty was a 50 year member of PEO and an active member of her church circle and the Methodist Women. For years she organized and produced the Christmas pageants at the First United Methodist Church. Supporting her five children, she was busy with Girl Scouts, PTA, dance, piano, and art lessons, trips to Tenkiller Lake, and other activities too numerous to name. In 2009, Betty received the Fort Smith Mayor's Award to Mother of the Year and rode in a place of honor in the Arkansas-Oklahoma Rodeo Parade! Bill and Betty loved to travel and managed to visit all but 2 of the fifty states and a good bit of the world. Betty had many friends and each one was important to her—she had the ability to make everyone feel sincerely loved and treasured. To those that are given much, much is expected. Betty Hall had a wonderful life—she was given many blessings and she gave so much love and happiness in return. To sign an online guestbook visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.