Connie Jane Smith, 79, died on December 4, 2023, at Azria Health Longview in Missouri Valley. She was born on March 5, 1944, in Council Bluffs to Fred and Mary Jane (Hough) Petersen. She grew up going to country school. After graduating from high school in Missouri Valley, Connie went on to further her education earning a business degree. On April 6, 1963, she was united in marriage to Roger Smith at the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Missouri Valley. The couple were blessed with three daughters, Barbara, Diane, and Kristine. Connie worked for a few years for Union Pacific in Omaha, Nebr. and for Dr. Tamisiea in Missouri Valley, but she was able to spend most of her years as a dedicated mother, farm wife and grandmother.
Connie was not only devoted to her family, but also her church. She was a member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church where she served as a lector, taught religious education and was a trustee. Connie was also a proud member of the Tuesday Club and the P.E.O. She loved going on evening rides with Roger and spending time at the lake condo in Okoboji. Connie loved listening to Neil Diamond, she and Roger went to several of his concerts. Anytime “Sweet Caroline” came on, she would sing and dance. Connie was a huge Duke fan, and she was so happy to fulfill a dream of going to a Duke basketball game and seeing Coach Mike Krzyzewski. Most of all, Connie loved time with her family and especially her daughters and families, and later her two grandchildren. She was always their biggest fan in all their activities.
Connie was preceded in death by her parents and brothers-in-law, Jim Evans and Victor Smith. She is survived by her husband, Roger Smith of Missouri Valley; daughters, Barbara Smith and Bill Adams of Omaha, Diane and her husband Brent Hansen of Missouri Valley, and Kristine and her husband Chris Nelson of Council Bluffs; grandchildren, Derek Hansen of Missouri Valley and Madisyn Hansen of Missouri Valley; two sisters, Linda and her husband Max Farris of Edgewood, Texas and Kathie Evans of Corpus Christi, Texas; and many other relatives and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, December 7, 2023, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Missouri Valley. The service Celebrant was Rev. James Kirby, the Homilist was Rev. Michael Berner and Deacon Mike Carney assisted. The musicians were Lyle Waterhouse and Elizabeth Dillinger. The honorary pallbearers were Jim Hiller, Richard McIntosh, Tom McIntosh and Mike Rodewald. The pallbearers were Derek Hansen, Mark Allmon, Rob Arrick, Don Brothers, Dick Hansen and Barry Stirtz. Connie’s final resting place is at the Grange Cemetery.
Fouts Funeral Home in Woodbine was in charge of arrangements. www.foutsfuneralhome.com
