Bente Iben Smith went to be with the Lord on January 25, 2023. Bente was born in Vejle, Denmark on May 19, 1951 to parents Einar Bernhard and Ebba Edith Henriksen. Bente came to the United States in 1975 to work for the United Nations and moved to Tampa, Florida in 1979. She was employed by Hillsborough County, Florida for 35 years as a Social Worker for the Social Services Department. She became an American citizen in 2008, an accomplishment she was proud of. Bente graduated magna cum laude from the University of South Florida in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree. She was pre-deceased by her father and mother and brother Jorn Henriksen. She is survived by her loving husband and soul mate of 35 years, Christopher, whom she married in 1988, and her sons John Ramirez (Lori), James Ramirez (Julie) and Paul Smith, by siblings in Denmark Ruth Kirk (Kent), Bitten Davidsen and Poul Henriksen. Bente loved exercising, the outdoors and the simple pleasures of life. She was a loving mother to her 3 boys and a great wife. She was a woman of strong faith and a member of Messiah Lutheran Church and lived her life in the service of others. A Celebration of Life will be held at Messiah Lutheran Church 14920 Hutchison Road, Tampa, FL 33625 on Sunday, 2/5/23 at 4:00 pm. There will be a reception after the service. Bente will be interred in Messiah’s Memorial Garden. For live streaming of the service, please visit www.Messiahtampa.com/worship.