Delores (Jeannie) Jean Smith

Delores Jean Smith 87. Died October 10, 2026 at CRMC.

Jeannie, as she was known, was born February 21, 1939 in Missoula, Montana the daughter of Lydia (Klein) and Richard Lechner. She was baptized April 1946 at the First Baptist Church in Missoula Montana and began singing there at an early age.

She attended Willard Elementary School and graduated from Missoula County High School in 1957. She was always active in sports and in many musical groups throughout her lifetime. She also enjoyed attending LCCC.

Jeannie attended Colorado Women’s College in Denver, Colorado where she studied music. A fellow classmate from Cheyenne introduced her to Duane Lee Smith and they were married in June 1958. From their marriage, their children Barbara Jean and Richard Dale Smith were born. Duane died in December 1984.

Jeannie remained active in choral groups in churches and city groups in Laramie, Wyoming, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Denver and Lakewood, Colorado and upon returning to Cheyenne, she sang in the SACSOC singers, Capital Choral, City Sounds, and other groups including the choir of First Christian Church.

She was employed at State Farm Insurance Claims Center in Wheatridge, Colorado and after moving to Cheyenne she worked for the Party Line, City News, AMF Wyott Personnel Department and the Trust Department of Wyoming National Bank and Norwest Bank (Wells Fargo) retiring in 1993.

For many years in the 1990’s, Jeannie enjoyed camping and traveling to the western and mid-western states in her RV enjoying new sights and faces. She was a Lifetime Member of the Good Sam RV Club and member of the Shy-O-Ming Tumbleweeds RV Club.

She was a member of the First Christian and First Presbyterian Church in Cheyenne, Cheyenne Heritage Quilters, Wyoming State Quilt Guild, Sewing Club of Cheyenne and Women of the Moose.

Jeannie was very involved in the Cheyenne Heritage Quilters and chaired and served on numerous committees. She also participated in the Applique Group and the UFO Group. She really enjoyed taking quilting or sewing classes and once wore the title of UFO Queen for several years. Not only did she enjoy quilting and her friends, she enjoyed her flowers, watching birds and wildlife, and trying to keep up with the happenings of her family whom she loved very much. She built her home in the country in 1999 and she enjoyed the adventures there including raising some (spoiled) cattle for a number of years. The quietness and beauty of the open country with its beautiful sunrises and sunsets were a part of this wonderful experience.

Jeannie is survived by her children Barbara Jean Smith (Robert) Horton of Lakewood, Colorado and Richard Dale (Marci) Smith of Cheyenne; grandchildren Brandi Jean Horton and Beau Thomas Horton of Lakewood, Colorado and several aunts and numerous cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, father-in-law and mother-in-law Dale M. Smith and Helen (Gates) Smith, grandparents Jacob and Sophie (Bertsch) Lechner and Edward and Louisa Klien, brother-in-law Harry (Hank) W. Peters and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and loving and caring friends.

Mom was very strong, sweet and loving. She is wonderful!

In lieu of flowers, donations maybe be made to, Cheyenne Oncology Center, Black Dog Foundation, St. Jude’s Children’s Foundation, Multiple Myeloma Foundation.