Georgia Edith Smeltzer
August 15, 1942 – March 9, 2025
We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Georgia with her daughter by her side on March 9, 2025, in Albany, Oregon. Her life on earth ended nine days after the death of her soulmate and husband, Dale.
Georgia’s light and laughter were contagious. She was gentle, funny, and kind to those who met her.
Georgia was born in Conrad, Montana to Norma (Moore) and Henry “Hank” Palmbush. She grew up in Conrad and graduated from Conrad High School. While in high school, she was a Whoop Up Days Rodeo Queen, which was her claim to fame.
She met the “love of her life” Dale in Springfield, Oregon. They married in June of 1972. He and Georgia celebrated 52 years of marriage.
They had various moves throughout those years due to Dale’s job as an electrician. They spent several years in Eugene, Oregon, Northern California, Brownsville, Oregon, Rainier, Oregon, Conrad, Montana – where they lived for 20 years, and then moved to Sweet Home, Oregon in 2024 to be close to family. They also spent several winters in Quartzite, Arizona where they met many friends and enjoyed hosting margarita parties for the snowbirds at KOFA Mountain that wintered along with them.
Georgia enjoyed Tole Painting, reading, and spending time with family.
Georgia is survived by her family; children: Kristi Walker and her husband Donny of Sweet Home, Oregon, Brian Richardson Smeltzer of Honolulu, Hawaii, Gary Smeltzer and his wife Raquel of Hillsboro, Oregon, John Smeltzer of Beaverton, Oregon; grandchildren: Kylan Walker, Kami Otta, Kelsi Hepler, Kaeson Walker, all of Sweet Home, Oregon, Brendan Richardson and Yumeno Richardson of Japan, Tristan Smeltzer of Hillsboro, Oregon, Taylor Milburn of Beaverton, Oregon; six great grandchildren; sister Susan Swanson and husband Bruce of Plains, Montana; sister-in-law Carroll Palmbush of Chelan, Washington. She also had many cousins, nieces and nephews who cherished their bond. She was preceded in death by her husband, William “Dale” Smeltzer; son, Todd Richardson, father, Henry “Hank” Palmbush; mother, Norma (Moore) McAdam; brother, Stephen Palmbush.
A celebration of life for both Georgia and Dale will be in Conrad, Montana in early June. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that the donations be made to Samaritan Evergreen Hospice House in Georgia’s memory. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements, www.sweethomefuneral.com