Bessie A. (Smutny) Bove

Funeral Services for Bessie A. Bove, 95, Madison, will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 23, 2020 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Madison.  Reverend Donna Goltry will officiate.  Interment will be in Crown Hill Cemetery.  Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday at the church.  Resseguie Funeral Home will oversee the arrangements.

After a long and healthy life, Bessie passed away on Sunday, January 19, 2020 at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk.

Bessie Angeline was born December 27, 1924 in Norfolk, Nebraska to Prokop and Emma (Fajmon) Smutny.  Bessie graduated from nearby Liberty Consolidated School where she played women’s softball.  On February 15th, 1944, Bessie married Irvin A. Bove in Madison, NE.  The couple was blessed with three children, Betty, Joan, and Dean. 

Bessie started her career as a County Clerk in Madison County in December of 1960 and she was appointed Deputy Treasurer in July of 1961.  In 1975 she was elected Treasurer and re-elected three times before retiring in 1989 after 28 years of public service to spend more time with her grandchildren.

Bessie was a long-time member of the Trinity United Methodist Church, Treasurer of the Ladies’ Auxiliary Fireman, Business and Professional Women, and Vice President of the Northeast District of County Treasurer, Chamber of Commerce.

Bessie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  Growing up Bohemian, Bessie would always be ready to dance or sing to a good polka at the Riverside Dance Hall in Norfolk.  She also loved fishing for Walleye and taking annual summertime trips to Minnesota with family members.  Bessie was renowned host, cooking and hosting for family and friends, she wanted everyone to feel welcome.  Along with her daughter Betty, Bessie was always ready to hit the casinos in Iowa, chasing the big wins on the penny slots.

Bessie is survived by her daughters, Betty Bove of Madison and Joan (Ken) Eyres of Lawton, IA, daughter-in-law Deb Livingston, seven grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Bessie was preceded in death by her parents, husband Irvin (2005), son Dean (1993), and siblings Edwin Smutny (1960), Sylvia Vlcek (1961), Wilma Kloke (1975), Mary Bartman (1985), Rudolph Smutny (1992), Elsie Carstensen (1993), Lud Smutny (1996), Libby Kreitman (2002), and Helen Bezdek (2015).

Memorials are suggested to Trinity United Methodist Church in Madison.

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