Carol A. Smith

Carol Ann Smith, 77, of Bronson, Iowa, formerly South Sioux City, died Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016, at her daughter's home surrounded by her family.
A celebration of life service will be 3 p.m. today at Sunnybrook Community Church in Sioux City, with the Rev. Jeff Thelander officiating. Visitation will be 2 p.m. until service time today at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.christysmith.com .
Carol was born on Nov. 5, 1938, in Wynot, Neb., to Archie "Speed" and Opal (Gwin) Derby. The family moved to South Sioux City, where she attended South Sioux City Schools and graduated from South Sioux City High School. Carol worked for 30 plus years as an admitting clerk for St. Joseph Hospital and later Marian Health Center. Upon her retirement in 2000, she moved to Florida until 2012 when she returned to Sioux City to be closer to her family.
Carol enjoyed reading, dancing, going out to eat, playing cards, gambling, and spending time with her family. One of her favorite things to do was to watch her grandson, Hunter, play football. Carol loved all of her grandchildren and had a very special bond with each of them. Carol also loved spending time with her friend of 64 years, Patty Windeshausen. The family would like to thank Patty for being such a great friend to their mother.
She was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in South Sioux City.
Left to cherish her memory are two sons, Steven Ristau of Waterloo, Iowa, and his children, Christopher and Samantha Ristau, and Scott Ristau of Sioux City, and his children, Daniel Kloss and his son, Danny and Kobie, and Telsa Ristau; two daughters, Martina (Tom) Gaul of New Vienna, Iowa, and their children, Brandon, Dillon and Nathan Gaul, and Missie (Dave) Fischer of Bronson, and their children, Skyler and Hunter Sharp, Ty and Coby Fischer; and two brothers, Kenneth Derby of Sioux City, and Gary (Cheryl) Derby of Sioux City. Carol had a special relationship with her nieces, Michelle Roth, Denise Derby, Kim Derby and Melissa Johnson; and her nephews, Ricky Derby, and Shad Derby.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents, grandson, Tyler Gaul; sister, Dixie Bunch; and her in-laws, John Bunch and Virginia Derby.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Mary with Hospice of Siouxland, she was an amazing nurse and kept mom on her toes for the last eight months. She also has been a wonderful support person to our family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Siouxland Human Society in name of Carol and Grizzly or Hospice of Siouxland.