Our wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend Carolyn Alice Smith of Postville, IA passed away peacefully with her family by her side Sunday, June 4, 2023, at Mayo Methodist Hospital in Rochester, MN after a short battle upon the reemergence of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. She was 79.
A life-long resident in the Postville area, she was born August 11, 1943, the third of four children of Richard and Evelyn (Dugstad) Olson. Carolyn was well-loved by her community. She had a long-standing relationship with God, baptized November 14, 1943, and confirmed May 25, 1958, both at West Clermont Lutheran Church in Clermont, IA. Carolyn earned her diploma in 1961 from Valley High School.
On May 4, 1963, she married David Lester Smith in Clermont. Their relationship grew and blossomed side-by-side as they were inseparable for over 60 years. Alongside him, Carolyn raised two daughters, while working as a farm wife and at the Country Garden for many years in Postville.
She was a beloved leader of the Postville Presbyterian Women’s Group and enjoyed home decorating and shopping. She loved to search for the perfect pieces for herself and especially others. Carolyn also truly loved traveling. She and Dave ventured to many places throughout the U.S. and abroad to visit family and friends and discover new experiences.
Above all else, Carolyn’s greatest love was her family. She was an exceptional wife, mother and grandmother, always thinking of others above herself. Carolyn was especially passionate and proud of her daughters, grandchildren and great-granddaughter. She loved spending time with them in person and was a Facetime expert, continually keeping up with their day-to-day lives and then sharing photos and stories with her extended family and friends.
Surviving Carolyn are her beloved husband of sixty years, David Smith of Postville, IA; loving daughters, Angela (David) Schroeder of Colorado Springs, CO and Wendy Taylor of Gold Canyon, AZ; grandchildren, Madeline (Derick) Chapman, Lily Schroeder, Jack Schroeder, Abigail Taylor and Michael O’Loughlin; great-granddaughter, Caroline Chapman; and one sister, Grace (LaVerne) Swenson. She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Evelyn Olson; sister, Mary Orth; and brother, Gene Olson.
Carolyn will be forever remembered for her laugh, gentle eyes, caring heart, loving embrace and unconditional love. Her family invites you to join in celebrating Carolyn’s life. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 pm on Friday, June 9, 2023, at Community Presbyterian Church in Postville, IA. There will also be a one-hour visitation before services at the church on Saturday.
Her funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Community Presbyterian Church in Postville, IA with Pastor Karla Johnson as the officiant. Burial will follow at Postville Cemetery.
Carolyn’s family would like to express their appreciation to the doctors, nurses and staff at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and Doctor McMullan and nurses and staff at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, IA since her first diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2018 and recurrence in 2023.
Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Postville, IA is assisting the family with arrangements.