Pamela grew up carefree on an idyllic family farm near Shickley, Nebraska. Her four siblings; Jo, Phil, Elly, and Shari, made sure there was never a dull moment. She often said that their shenanigans are what gave her mom her head of gray hair! Country life suited her as she had a love of animals and open spaces. Her parents (AKA Ma and Granddaddy) brought her and her siblings up in a wonderful two-story house filled with faith, love, laughter, and hard work. The aroma of homemade meals and baked goods was always present as her mom was a wonderful cook. She was blessed to have been brought up this way.
Pamela was born on July 22,1938, and was baptized at Shickley United Methodist Church. During her younger years, she babysat and was active in school, church, and 4-H. She made baked goods and showed lambs for 4-H, earning many ribbons. Her daughters also joined 4-H in their youth and her granddaughter Mady continues the tradition. Pamela was always outgoing and made friends easily. She was a cheerleader in high school, played several sports, and graduated as co-salutatorian.
After graduating from Shickley High School in 1955, Pamela married Don Wittmack and they welcomed three daughters; Laura Leah in 1956, Linda Lael in 1958, and Luann Lisa in 1960. She was a hands-on mom and she made life a lot of fun! She was a 4-H leader, Girl Scout leader, and Sunday School teacher. And if that wasn’t enough, she also waitressed/cooked/managed at Rosie’s Tavern. Many summers were spent at the Geneva pool and every weekend she made homemade bread and cinnamon rolls—much to the delight of her girls. She was a great baker. A great cook?? Only if you consider Spam and fried bologna sandwiches great food!
After her divorce, Pamela and her daughters moved to Seward, Nebraska, where they quickly settled in. St. John Lutheran Church and School was a welcome place to be, as the girls loved school there, made friends, and it soon felt like home. She waitressed for Dale’s Restaurant and she became a secretary (very fast typist) for the Concordia College Synod office and later for the Seward Medical Clinic. She sold Amway, joined a bowling team, (high scoring bowler) and became President of the Women’s Bowling League. Whatever she set out to do, she gave it her best.
After her daughters graduated from high school, she decided to move to Lincoln, Nebraska, and become a fraternity House Director at Beta Sigma Psi on the University of Nebraska Campus. She loved all the activity and noise that came with being a “mom” to so many. After raising three girls she said, “looking after 75 boys is EASY!!” After nine years, she moved on to the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity at Nebraska Wesleyan where she was also House Director. During this time she also went to Lincoln Community College to get her certificate to become an Executive Secretary and she worked at the Student Health Center at UNL. She also managed several apartment buildings. She met and married “Jack” Smith in 1989 and they were a great team, his energy matched hers, and they kept up with all the demands of Greek life. Years later they divorced.
Hoping to escape the harsh Nebraska winters, Pamela set her sights on a warmer climate and moved to Tallahassee, Florida in 2000. She became sorority House Director at Phi Mu on the Florida State Campus. Once again, she excelled at being “mom” to a house full of girls. She truly loved her students and cared about each and every one of them. At the Senior Center (her home away from home) she was active with the Bridge Club and was founding member of Tallahassee Active Lifelong Leaders group (TALL), and a Senior Advisory Council member.
After retiring, Pamela moved to Westminster Oaks Retirement Community and quickly found new friends and activities. She was a certified Bridge Club Director and teacher, longtime member of The Red Hat Society, volunteered at The Country Store, and became the Recycle Queen. She made a point of checking in on people that had mobility issues (especially those approaching the century mark), visiting with them and taking treats , and letting them know they were not forgotten. Her hobbies included reading, socializing, college football (NE and FSU), floral arranging, and she loved to travel. She went to Hawaii twice, Germany and Ireland, and she was especially proud of her Irish heritage.
Pamela Elaine Flory-Smith, 85, was born July 22, 1938, in Geneva, Nebraska to Donald and Edna (Brinegar) Flory and went to be with her Lord Jesus Christ on February 2, 2024 in Tallahassee, Florida. Her legacy of faith, compassion, and love for others continues through her family, as they were taught well.
Pamela is survived by her three daughters; Laura (Gary) Gaebel of Murdock, NE, Linda (Jess) Ramos of Valentine, NE, Luann (John) Rathjen of West Des Moines, IA; her sister Elly Brauning of Fairmont, NE and six grandchildren; Nathan (Holly) Gaebel of Lincoln, NE, Chantelle Gaebel of Elmwood, Ne, Jasen (Cristina) Ramos of Mission, TX, Risa (Brian) Bopp of Valentine, NE, Tyler (Victoria) Rathjen of Chandler, AZ, Elisabeth (Elisa) Rathjen of West Des Moines, IA, and nine great grandchildren; Jack, Nora, and Edie Gaebel, Madysyn (Mady) and Daniel Bopp with baby boy Bopp due in May, Mason, Charlotte, Violet, and Brooks Rathjen; and many nieces and nephews and their families.
Pamela is preceded in death by her parents and grandparents, sister Donna (Jo) Callahan, brother and sister-in-law Philip and Ann Flory, brother-in-law Homer Brauning and sister and brother-in-law Sharon (Shari) and Tom Lapping.
As Pamela wished, there will be no formal services. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Shickley, Nebraska.
Memorials may be directed to the Shickley Community Foundation Fund, P.O. Box 372, Shickley, NE, 68436 or online at www.nebcommfound.org/give/shickley-community-foundation-fund
The family of Pamela Flory-Smith would especially like to thank the caring community at Westminster Oaks and her many wonderful friends in Tallahassee. We can feel the love that you had for our Mom and we are forever grateful!
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