Carol Ann Smith

Carol Ann (Peske) Smith, 85, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2025. She was born on July 26th, 1940, in Black Hawk County, Iowa, the oldest child of August and Helen Peske. She grew up on the family farm in Raymond, Iowa, and attended a one-room schoolhouse until she entered high school.

Once Carol graduated from East High in Waterloo, she enrolled in the Radiology program at Allen Hospital. (She was the very first graduate from this school in 1959). In 1965, she married Clarence and happily told everyone that the morning of her wedding was the last time she milked cows. They started their life together in Waterloo, Iowa.

Once Craig and Cathleen were born, Carol decided to quit her job at Allen to be a full-time mother. She continued to volunteer with election day voting and do activities with the woman’s group at Trinity Lutheran Church. She helped with the church preschool until the family moved out to an acreage, close to the Peske farm. She enjoyed helping at the farm as much as she could, but also took a job working at the Dunkerton Community School, where Craig and Cathleen attended. Carol participated monthly in a card club with friends from the old neighborhood. Later on, this card club became an eating out club instead (Rumor said it was easier to read a menu than playing cards). She was also an active member of the Dunkerton Women’s Club and the Red Hat Club. (She loved buying hats for every occasion.)

Once both children had graduated, Carol decided to return to radiology. Allen Hospital welcomed her back with open arms, but in the 1990s, technology was much more advanced. Carol stuck with it for a few years, but then decided she wanted to help watch her grandchildren while Craig farmed. Jacob and Tyler were the love of her life, and she enjoyed every minute she spent with them until they were ready to start school on their own.

Carol and Clarence eventually moved off the acreage and into the Village Coop in Cedar Falls. She loved living here, but when she ended up at NewAldaya Rehabilitation, she became a permanent resident for the next 12 years. She was extremely happy at the nursing home and well cared for. She spoke so highly of the staff and residents. They treated her like family, and she was “grandma” to many there.

Carol is preceded in death by her parents, August and Helen (Britzman) Peske, her husband Clarence Smith, and her brothers Herb and Alfred. She is survived by her children, Craig and Cathleen Smith, grandchildren Jacob (and Sarah) and Tyler (and Kayla) Smith, Jacob Spengler, and great-grandchildren Landon and Laramie.

Carol’s legacy will be her gentle smile, love of the outdoors, taking many, many, many pictures, and her journaling daily events, as well her kindness and willingness to help others. She loved introducing herself as Carol “as in Christmas Carol”.