Carma Smidt Morris Obituary

     Carma Smidt Morris age 44 of Sibley, Iowa passed away Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at Aspire of Sutherland in Sutherland, IA.

     Visitation with the family present will be Friday, May 30, 2025, from 5:30 – 7:30 PM at the Christian Reformed Church in Sibley. Burial will follow visitation at 8:15 PM at Holman Township Cemetery in Sibley.

     A memorial service will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, May 31st at the Christian Reformed Church in Sibley, IA, with Rev. Ben Wiersma officiating.

     Carma Rochelle Smidt Morris, born September 21, 1980, to Roger and Carol (Poppema) Smidt. She touched the lives of many with her indomitable spirit and unwavering faith. Throughout her life, she courageously faced numerous health challenges due to spinal muscular atrophy, yet she rarely let it diminish her zest for life.

     At a tender age, Carma became a symbol of hope and resilience as the Muscular Dystrophy poster child for the state of Iowa. She attended Sibley Christian School and later graduated from Faith Christian High School. Her determination and pursuit of knowledge led her to Dordt College, where, with the loving support of her parents and dedicated aides, she earned a degree in English writing / literature. She furthered her academic journey at the University of South Dakota, earning a Master's degree.

     Carma's passion for storytelling and her gift for words found expression in her work as a journalist for the Sibley Gazette and as an online adjunct professor at Ohio Christian University. Her marriage to Chris Morris on May 6, 2022 was a source of great joy and fulfillment in her life.

    Known for her infectious love of people, Carma enjoyed engaging in games, experimenting with new recipes, and relishing the companionship of her beloved Yorkies. She found solace in the beauty of flowers and nature, the thrill of shopping, and the world of literature. Her faith, a cornerstone of her being, shone brightly in her writings, where she eloquently conveyed the strength and comfort she found in God, even amidst life's trials.

     Carma was cherished by many, especially her husband Chris Morris, her mother, Carol Smidt both of Sibley Iowa, her brother Randy (Tandra) Smidt of Webster, South Dakota, her sister, Crista Smidt of Orange City, Iowa, her nephew, Jeff (Brooke) Smidt and their children, Rylee and Ronin of Webster, South Dakota. She was preceded in death by her father Roger Smidt and grandparents, Case and Edith Smidt and Fred and Winnie Poppema.

     In every chapter of her life, Carma Rochelle Smidt Morris exemplified determination, resilience, grace, and a deep-seated faith that inspired all who knew her.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” -Philippians 4:13