Donna Bessie Smolka McClellan

Donna Bessie Smolka McClellan (Bess, 88) passed peacefully the morning of December 27, 2024 in her home in Brigham City, Utah, with her husband by her side. She was born April 2,1936 Salt Lake City, first child to Clarence Smolka and Donna Hottinger.

When Bess was in Elementary School, she wondered why all the kids got off the bus at the Local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints once a week. She and Fred talked to their parents and got permission to go to primary. She was proud to be a pioneer in bringing the gospel back to her family.

Bess met Donald Lee McClellan on a blind date. They were married Jun 28, 1957 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They initially lived in a cabin up Emigration Canyon near Salt Lake City, Utah where they started a family. They had five kids in six years. Matt, Dan, Robyn, Kathy and Becky. A few years later Maryanne and Tim joined the family. The hymn “Count Your Many Blessings” often helped her through many busy times. Bess loved being a stay-at-home mom, loving her family and talking to many family members every day, as long as it wasn’t during jeopardy. 

The family moved to Riverton, Wyoming in 1974. Bess made lifelong friends and soon her sister Susan Gibson and family joined them in Riverton.

In 1986 they moved to Fish Haven, Id. They were soon joined by her son, Dan and Dona McClellan family and daughters, Kathy and Wayne Davidson family, Maryanne and Lane Stevens family.

In 1996 they moved to Sharon, Idaho where they ran a Reunion Center and loved their retirement years and many friends they made there. They also loved being close to their children and grandchildren there and having a gathering place big enough for everybody.

In January 2015 Don and Bess moved to Brigham City for Bess’s health. They bought a house near Tim and Becky McClellan Family who were blessed by her love and example. She continued to welcome any party or get together with all her family and friends.

Bess served in many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society. Her favorite calling was Cub Scouts. She always talks about her cub scouts and the ones that went on missions. She loved them all. She was a registered Boy Scout Leader at the age of 85.

Don and Bess Served as ordinance workers in the Logan Temple for six years. They also served three full-time missions together: Maryland, Baltimore Mission and Kentucky, Louisville mission and Houston, Texas Temple construction mission.

 Bess enjoyed being a member of Daughters of Utah Pioneers wherever she lived. She loved learning the histories that she taught and participated as chaplain of her local chapter until her death.

Bess crocheted many amazing items including a baby and graduation afghan for each of her 42 grandchildren. She also created beautiful cross-stitch art for births, baptisms and holidays as much-cherished gifts. She was especially great at remembering every birthday, sending personalized loving words to children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews and friends. Thousands of cards.

 She was preceded in death by her parents Clarence Smolka and Donna Hottinger, brothers Jimmy and Fred, and a daughter Maryanne Stevens, Sister-in-law, Lori Smolka and granddaughter in law Alyssa McClellan.

She is survived by her loving husband Don McClellan; children Matt (Wendy) McClellan, Magna UT; Dan (Dona) McClellan, West Haven, Utah; Robyn (Greg) Ashdown, Cedar City Utah; Kathy (Wayne) Davidson, St Charles, ID; Becky (Jim) Hendershot, Morgan Utah; Lane Stevens, Sharon, Idaho: Tim (Becky) McClellan, Brigham City, Utah.

Siblings Clarey (Geri) Smolka Emigration Canyon Utah, Susan (George) Gibson, Riverton, Wyoming; Joesph (LaNette) Smolka, Emigration Canyon, Sister-in-Law Marilyn Smolka, Salt Lake City UT.

42 grandchildren and 88 Great-grandchildren Total posterity 182.

Funeral Services will be held Friday January 3, 2025 at noon at the Brigham City North Stake Center, 620 N 300 E, Brigham City, Utah with a viewing from 10:00 am to 11:45. 

Interment will be held Saturday January 4, 2025 at noon in the Sharon, Idaho Cemetery, Highway 36, between mile marker 27 and 28.

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