Irene Smith

Irene M. Smith, 99, of Lansing, IA, died Friday, July 7, 2023, at Thornton Manor in Lansing. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 12th, at 11:00 AM at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with Fr. Joseph Sevcik officiating and burial will be at Gethsemane Cemetery, both in Lansing. Friends may greet the family from 9:00 AM until time of services at the church on Wednesday. Thornburg – Grau Funeral Home in Lansing is handling the arrangements.

Irene Mae Smith was born July 4, 1924, in Lansing, IA, the daughter of Charles and Emma (Decker) Hirth. She was baptized at the First Presbyterian Church in Churchtown, IA, attended school in Churchtown, and graduated from Lansing High School. On February 4, 1947, she married Robert "Bud" Smith at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church rectory in Lansing. Irene cleaned homes, babysat, and also worked at Northern Engraving, Kol - Gol, IGA, and Thornton Manor.

Irene was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and the VFW Auxiliary. Irene enjoyed going for walks and rides and sitting on her porch visiting with family and friends. She also liked feeding the birds and embroidery.

Survivors include her children: Jeanie Carroll of Lansing, Mickey (Jerry) Seitz of Lansing, Peggy (Bob) Larkin of Dorchester, Laurie (John) Rethwisch of Lansing, Becky (Loren) Miller of Lansing, and Robert Smith of La Crosse, WI; 12 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Bud in 1993; a daughter Patty Keenan; great-grandson Grant Saul; three sons-in-law: Don Dotdler, David Carroll, and John Keenan; and four brothers: Alfred, John, Herb, and Ernst Hirth.

Honorary casketbearers are Irene's grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, John Rethwisch, and Jerry Seitz. Casketbearers are Bob Larkin, Loren Miller, Kevin Herman, Dan Mauss, Scott Kaas, and Brent Wurster.