Carolyn Smidt Obituary

Carolyn F. Smidt

Primghar, Iowa

Carolyn F. Smidt, age 88, of Primghar, Iowa passed away on Friday, March 14, 2025, at the Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley, Iowa. Her funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Grace Lutheran Church in Primghar, Iowa with Pastor John Adams ~ officiating.

Burial will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Primghar.

Visitation with family present will be from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at the church.

IN LOVING MEMORY

CAROLYN F. SMIDT

BORN

April 20, 1936

Stuart, Iowa

PASSED AWAY

March 14, 2025

Hartley, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICE

11:00 A.M. Saturday, March 22, 2025

Grace Lutheran Church; Primghar, Iowa

Pastor John Adams - Officiating

MUSIC

“The Prayer”

CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS

“Amazing Grace”

“On Eagle’s Wings”

Pianist: Becca Moermond

CASKET BEARERS

Ethan Smidt                Kellen Smidt

Paul Smidt               Annie Smidt-Desmond

Nate Smidt                Colten Jackson

Haley Jackson                   Jace Desmond

Emily Smidt

FINAL RESTING PLACE

Pleasant Hill Cemetery - Primghar, Iowa

After today’s graveside service, relatives and friends are invited to join the family in the fellowship hall of the church.

Arrangements are under the care of the

Eldridge Family Funeral Home; Primghar, Iowa.

Carolyn Francis Smidt, the daughter of Russell and Ruth Bell (Matthews) Lockett was born April 20, 1936, in Stuart, Iowa. She received her education at Kingsley High School, graduating in 1954. She received her teaching degree from Briar Cliff College in Sioux City, IA in 1956. She taught 6th grade in the Primghar Community School District for two years.

She was united in marriage to Richard D. Smidt on June 1, 1958. They made their home in the Primghar area and then moved to the Smidt Family Farm in the spring of 1961. Carolyn devoted her life to her family, her friends, and her faith.

Carolyn enjoyed volunteering in her community with the local hospital auxiliary and church groups. She had a passion for red cardinals and watching and listening to lake loons up north. Her hobbies of collecting spooners, sewing, quilting, and creating family photo albums brought her joy. She was the coordinator behind the annual fishing trips to northern Minnesota for over 50 years, first with her own children and then grandchildren. She enjoyed travels across the United States and had a fabulous gift of recalling names, dates and events. She was our family historian.

In the early 1980’s, Carolyn decided to get involved in teaching once again, serving as a volunteer tutor for the Iowa Refugee Service Center. She was proud of the certificate that she received from Governor Robert Ray in recognition of her specialty: English Language Training for Indochinese Students.

Carolyn loved family gatherings and would cater to all things grandchildren. She was a wonderful homemaker who loved her family.

Carolyn’s memory will be cherished by her husband of 66 years, Richard: children Tom (Cindy) of Greene, IA, Kevin (Dee) of Sheridan, WY, and Becky (Mike) Jackson of Emmetsburg, IA; grandchildren Ethan and Kellen Smidt, Paul (Emily) Smidt and Annie(Jace) Smidt - Desmond, Nate Smidt, Colten and Haley Jackson; Sisters Judy Madron, Jeannie (Cliff) Haack, sister-in law Nancy Lockett along with many of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Russell and Ruth Lockett, mother and father in-law Velma (Puhrmann) and John Smidt, brother Jack Lockett, in-laws Katherine (Smidt) and Francis Henrich and Joyce (Smidt) and Derwood Heine, uncles: Paul Matthews, Jerome Matthews, Robert Matthews, Herschel Lockett, Paul Lockett and Eugene Lockett.

The family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to the care team at Community Memorial Health Center of Hartley for their support over the last two years. Memorials can be directed to Kids Kampus Daycare in Primghar or to the family.