Jetmore – Barbara Jean (Elliott) Smidt, 59, died May 20, 2007 at her home in rural Hodgeman County. She was born July 2, 1947 in Abilene, Kansas to Wilbur and Irene (Schultz) Elliott. On May 9, 1971, she married William R. (Bill) Smidt in the United Methodist Church, Detroit, Kansas. Barbara attended the Detroit Grade School and graduated at Chapman High School in 1965. She attended McPherson College and graduated in 1969. Barbara worked in the USD 443 school district until 1990, when she and her husband moved to rural Hodgeman County. In the fall of 1990 Barb started working as the deputy county clerk and was elected as the County Clerk in 1999. Barbara's cancer forced her to resign her position in April of 2007. She was an active member of the Southwest Kansas County Clerks Association and was serving as the President of this organization.

She is survived by her husband Bill of the home, one son William L. Smidt and Judy D. Lang of Russell, Kansas; one daughter Jenette and husband David Schuette, Spearville; one sister, Sharon and husband Loran Nichols, Longford, Ks; three brothers, Dale and wife Michelle Elliott, Jamestown, Ks, Marvin and wife Peggy Elliott, Ellsworth, Ks, and Calvin and wife Luella Elliott, Abilene, Ks; brother in law, Bob and wife Jennifer Smidt, Abilene, Ks; sister in law, Cleo and husband Curt Adams of Dodge City, Ks.; mother in law, Twila Smidt, Jetmore, Ks.; two grandsons, Chad Barnett and Wyatt Smidt; two granddaughters, Ashley Barnett and Annie Smidt; two step grandsons, Cody Lang and Colton Lang; two step granddaughters, Kayla Lang and Samantha Weary. one step great grandson, Clayton Hejny She leaves behind many nieces, nephews, friends and co-workers.

She was preceded in death by her parents Wilbur and Irene Elliott, one grandson, Cody Barnett and father in law RL (Bud) Smidt.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the United Presbyterian Church, Jetmore, with the Rev's Mark Durham and Gail Fisher presiding. Friends may call from 9a.m. to 8p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and until noon Thursday, at Beckwith Funeral Home, Jetmore. Burial will be in the Fairmount Cemetery, Jetmore.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Cancer Center of Kansas, Hospice of the Prairie or Donors Choice, in care of the Beckwith Funeral Home, Box 663 Jetmore, Ks 67854