Lois Diane Smith

Lois Diane Smith (Keuck) died Sunday, January 17, 2021, at her winter home in Tucson, Arizona, after a valiant battle with cancer. She was 73.

A celebration of life will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sioux City, Iowa on Saturday, January 30, 2021 with visitation starting at 11:00 a.m. with a funeral at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at the cemetery in Climbing Hill, Iowa. Loved ones are welcome but shouldn’t feel at all obligated to attend given these unprecedented times. The service will be livestreamed for those who prefer to celebrate Lois’ life remotely at https://www.facebook.com/RedeemerLC
Lois was born May 16, 1947, near Moville, Iowa. She grew up on a farm, surrounded by love, a large family of uncles, aunts, cousins, and a long series of dogs, all named George.

In 1962, when Moville’s school district merged with Climbing Hill’s, Lois met Steve Smith. Steve asked Lois out on a date, she said yes, and they soon became the love of one another’s life. They married on September 3, 1967 and were blessed with more than 53 years of marriage and nearly 60 years together.

Steve and Lois built their life together on their family farm near Climbing Hill, Iowa where they raised hogs, cattle, corn, and soybeans, as well as three children: Hilary (Kleese), Josie (Uecker), and Guy Smith. Lois prayed diligently for the perfect mates for her kids, and she got them. Sons-in-law, Tom Kleese and Josh Uecker, and daughter-in-law, Ellery Smith joined the family. Soon, Steve and Lois were blessed with eight grandchildren: Riley, Jack, Joe, Calvin, Grace, Isaiah, Kate, and Cade.

Lois had a strong Christian faith all her life. She prayed faithfully, and God always answered, although often in unexpected ways. Her only prayer left unanswered this side of heaven was a booming, soulful singing voice, but she put in a good word with God, and we’re confident she’s got it now.

Lois lived out her faith in the way she loved and cared for her family, friends and community both in Iowa and in Tucson, where she and Steve spent winter months. She was quick to notice when someone needed a friend and to be there for them, giving freely and joyfully of her heart, prayers, time, hugs, wise words, casseroles, and quilts. Lois loved people lavishly, prayed fervently, served joyfully, and giggled delightfully.

Over the years, she loved volunteering for causes dear to her heart, including providing support to pregnant women in need with Birthright and the Alpha Center in Sioux City, Iowa. In Tucson, Steve and Lois spent time at the local food bank, and Lois shared her love for sewing with young people at Teens Sew Cool. Steve and Lois were members of the Community Church at SaddleBrooke in Tucson, Arizona and Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sioux City, Iowa.

Lois died January 17, 2021, at her home in Tucson, surrounded by Steve and her three kids. She left this earth as the sun came up over the Catalina Mountains on a Sunday morning, just in time for church in heaven. No masks required.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Grace Missions Mali, Youth on Their Own in Tucson, or Mission Central in Mapleton, Iowa, organizations that are doing amazing work and are dear to Lois and her family.

And when you get to heaven, look for Lois in the angel choir because that’s where she’ll be.