Connie M. Smith, 88, of Chariton, passed away May 15, 2025, at the Lucas County Health Center. Graveside funeral services will be held Sunday, May 18, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at the Salem Cemetery near Chariton.
Family will receive friends on Saturday, May 17th, from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. Memorials may be made to the Faith United Methodist Church in Russell.
Connie was born October 16, 1936, in Knoxville, Iowa, to Merle and Kathleen May. The family moved to Chariton in 1943 when her parents purchased the home farm in Benton township where she raised her family and lived most of her life. Connie and her sister, Karen, would walk 1.3 miles to school at Salem through the 8th grade. She then attended Chariton High School later graduating in 1955.
Out of high school she began working for the ASCS office known today as the FSA office. Connie worked for the FSA off and on in various capacities throughout the years.
In 1957, Connie married Willard Burdette “W.B.” Smith. As part of their wedding gift, they received two bred gilts and a Guernsey heifer. They began their farming career when they rented 40 acres, then purchased 80 in 1960, before moving back to their home place. Connie was a hard worker; she worked on and off the farm in addition to raising their boys – Dennis and Doyle. They had 600 hens and milked many cows, but suddenly went unpaid for 6 weeks. They then transitioned out of the hens and milk cows to farrow to finish hogs and beef cows along with some ewes. She always worked side by side with her husband and eventually with the boys and grandchildren. She remembered square baling hay in the beginning times, and remembered all the hand jesters while she was running the baler. She thought the big round baler was one of the best inventions.
Connie worked for several of the sale barns including the Knoxville Sale Barn and the Russell Sale Barn. She always wanted to stay busy and would volunteer some free time to the Genealogy Society at the Chariton Library. She also enjoyed bowling and taking a few trips when you could get her away from the farm.
Family meant a lot to Connie. Not only was she blessed with two great boys but they returned the favor and gave her many grandchildren (and later, great grandchildren) to love. Her greatest pride in life was her hardworking family. From the farm to academics, she had a lot to be proud of. You could always count on Connie’s family to bring out her great sense of humor and her kind heart; two things she will always be remembered for.
Preceding her in death were her parents: Merle and Kathleen May; husband, W.B. Smith in 1996; and infant daughter, Linda Marie. She will be greatly missed by her sons: Dennis (Lisa) Smith and Doyle (Stacy) Smith; grandchildren: Brad (Kelsey) Smith, Chad (Mandy) Smith, Bailey (Jared) Dudley, Brittney (Steven) Slezak, and Macy Smith; seven great grandchildren: Ledger, McKabe, Jace, Ruger, Henry, Tate, and Colt; sister, Karen Stansbery; sister-in-law, Ruth (Don) Argentia; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
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