Isabel Smith

Isabel Margaret (Kacmarynski) Smith, 87, of Jefferson, passed away July 17 at home surrounded by her family.  

Visitation was held at the Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home in Jefferson on July 20, with funeral services at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jefferson on July 21.

Mass was celebrated by Father John Gerald, with lector Tom Feldmann and music by Sheila Pound (soloist) and Lois Last (accompanist).

Casket bearers were Jay Lyon, Rich Lyon, Steve Finn, Tom Schmit, Steve Andrusyk and Luke Andrusyk.

Interment will be at the Catholic cemetery in Jefferson.

Isabel Smith was born on May 12, 1933, in Mallard to John Kacmarynski and Mary (Olsen) Kacmarynski. Isabel graduated high school in 1951 from Mallard.

Wayne and Isabel were married Sept. 1, 1951. They started their married life in Emmetsburg. They moved to Alexandria, Va., in 1952 while Wayne was in the service. They moved to Jefferson in 1955.

In addition to being a homemaker, she held various positions, including city hostess, insurance processor at the Jefferson Clinic and worked with clients at the Genesis group homes.

She was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.  She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, where she served as grand regent and she enjoyed ministering to the homebound.

She volunteered her services in many other areas in the community, including delivering Meals on Wheels, Pink Lady in the Hospital Auxiliary and Bell Tower guide.

Her family was very important to her, and was involved in their activities including a Camp Fire leader, Cub Scout leader, and was a mentor through the school system.

She was fun loving and competitive, playing Bridge, Scrabble, Yahtzee and many other games. She always had a puzzle on the table and completed a large number over the years. She loved to read and usually had one or two books checked out from the library. She was a master gardener and shared her vegetables with family and friends.

She loved sewing and quilting. She made a quilt for every grandchild when they graduated high school. She made numerous dresses for the organization Little Dresses For Africa.

Isabel loved to travel, including trips with Wayne and family to England, Ireland, Italy, France, Alaska and Hawaii. She traveled all over the country visiting her children and grandchildren, including Florida, Colorado, California and Missouri. She visited numerous national parks and monuments and loved learning about each site.

Isabel and Wayne belonged to Lakeside Golf Course for many years. Isabel was a dedicated exerciser and belonged to the rec center and walked many miles on the track and treadmills and the streets of Jefferson.

Isabel knew no strangers. She took the time to introduce herself and make new friends.

Isabel was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Wayne; her parents, John and Mary Kacmarynski; her brothers Bernard Kacmarynski and Phillip Kacmarynski; and sister Veronica (Kacmarynski) Schmit; and son-in-law Jack Lyon. 

From their union they had seven children: Diane Lyon, of Ames; Kathryn (John) Evers, of Ankeny; Denise (Steve) Andrusyk, of Fort Collins, Colo.; Janet (Harry) Koehler, of St. Louis; Timothy (Jody) Smith, of Jacksonville, Fla.; Christine (Steve) Finn, of Bettendorf; and David (Ginger) Smith, of Rocklin, Calif.

Grandchildren include: Jay (Tina) Lyon, Richard Lyon, Nicole Oliver, Elisha (Carl) Kubalsky, Aja (JR) Gregory, Luke (Molly) Andrusyk, Eric (Keri) Koehler, Alex (Cailin) Smith, Allison (Ben) Baker, Kayla Finn, Sari Finn, Emma Smith and Maddeline Smith.  

Great-grandchildren are: Taylor Lyon, Jack Lyon, Maya Lyon, Dobry Kruszka, Scout Kruszka, Priya Kubalsky, Alina Kubalsky, Addy Gregory, Barrett Gregory, Cohen Gregory, Fritz Koehler, Charles Koehler, Sage Smith, Leo Smith, Ryan Smith, Mae Smith, Ryland Baker, Wyatt Baker, Landon Baker, Landon Andrusyk, and one on the way.

She is survived by her sisters, MaryAnn (Kacmarynski) Wagner and Patricia (Kacmarynski) Twait; and brother John Kacmarynski; many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, you may direct your memorials to the Jefferson Public Library or the Catholic Daughters of America.