WANEETA ROSE 'DEEDEE' (BERGSTROM) SMITH - age 85, of Pocahontas, Iowa passed away on January 10, 2023 at Arlington Place in Pocahontas. Waneeta Rose Bergstrom was born on June 8, 1937 to Nils Evert Bergstrom and Rose (Muenzenmay) Bergstrom in her parent's farm home just a few miles west of Pocahontas. DeeDee's youngest brother Richard 'Butch' couldn't pronounce Waneeta so he called her DeeDee. DeeDee attended a small country elementary school. During her Pocahontas High School years, she was involved in many activities such as cheerleading, basketball, pep club and glee club, marching band and concert band where she played the clarinet, Scarlet Letter assistant editor, played the lead role in her Junior class play, and Senior year Homecoming Attendant. In 1955, DeeDee graduated from Pocahontas High School. From Fall of 1955 to Spring of 1957, DeeDee attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She was a member of the Phi Sigma Phi. On June 16, 1957, Dale Edward Smith and Waneeta Rose Bergstrom were united in marriage at the Trinity Lutheran Church in the old town of Rusk, Grant Township, Pocahontas County.

On January 1, 1957, Robert and Dale Smith purchased Pocahontas Dairy "your home-town dairy" - delivering milk to local residents' door steps. The Pocahontas Dairy slogans were "from moo to you in an hour or two" and "the milk by which Pocahontas grows." DeeDee and her mother-in-law, Mary Ellen Smith, sold dairy products including decorated square-shaped ice cream slices for special occasions. DeeDee was responsible for the Pocahontas Dairy's bookkeeping.

On September 1, 1968, Dale and Dee sold Pocahontas Dairy (milk operation only) to Wells Dairy Company. Dee's and Dale's Dairy Freeze (aka the Purple Cow) was launched. (In 1962, Dale purchased a purple and white fiberglass dairy cow that was placed on display at the Dairy.) They continued to sell dairy products along with opening a dairy-queen type restaurant selling burgers, tenderloins, pizza burgers, foot long chili dogs, fries, milkshakes, and soft-serve ice cream from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The Purple Cow's phone # was simply 776. In the summer of 1972, the Smiths opened a miniature golf course next to the Purple Cow. DeeDee was responsible for the daily detailed bookkeeping. In 1974, the Smiths sold the Dairy Freeze to Denny and Linda Olson.

From 1975 to 1989, the Smiths had an auctioneer business with Bob and Jan Winegarden named Smith and Winegarden Auctioneers. DeeDee wrote the detailed auction sale bills and did the auctions' bookkeeping.

DeeDee was a member of Hope United Methodist Church. She loved serving and making pies for the annual soup and pie supper.

DeeDee was a member of the Pocahontas Community Hospital Auxiliary.

One of the Smith's personal accomplishments was traveling to all 50 states.

DeeDee enjoyed sewing, crossword puzzles, 1,000-piece puzzles, Rummikub, cards, reading mystery books, and one of her favorite songs was O Holy Night.  DeeDee's family will miss the delicious meals she cooked - roast beef with brown gravy, pies (Fluffo pie crusts), sugar cookies, and the most decadent peanut clusters. DeeDee's important life message was to have open communication in one's relationships. DeeDee loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She embodied sincerity and kindness. DeeDee's humble and loving personality will be deeply missed.

DeeDee is survived by her children, Brenda (Steve) Reeder, Arnolds Park, IA, Kyle (Jane) Smith, Pocahontas, IA, and Dalene Smith, Dunedin, FL; grandchildren, Emily Rose Reeder (Matthew) Schiller, Anna Reeder, Stephanie (Smith) Webbink, Daniel Smith, Jeremy Smith, Jessica Smith, and Susie Smith; great grandchildren, Waylon Webbink and Gabriel Schiller. DeeDee is preceded in death by her husband Dale E. Smith, daughter Diana Denise Smith; parents Evert and Rose Bergstrom; siblings sister Genevieve M. Bergstrom, brothers Gustave E. Bergstrom, Robert L. Bergstrom, Leonard D. Bergstrom, Harold G. Bergstrom, Richard C. Bergstrom.