Connie Lee Smith, 83, of Sioux City, Iowa, passed away peacefully at her home with family by her side on January 8, 2025.

Born to Charlotte and Deryl Schurdevin in Sioux City, IA. Connie graduated from Central High School in 1959. Her life was forever changed when she met the love of her life, Joe, while ice skating, later marrying and building a beautiful family together.

Connie’s career path reflected her nurturing spirit. She began by providing in-home daycare before working for many years at MCI. At the age of 50, driven by a passion for helping others, she returned to school to earn her associate degree in nursing. Connie then dedicated her talents to caring for residents at Regency Nursing Home in South Sioux City, Nebraska, until she retired to become the devoted caretaker for her mother.

She is survived by her loving siblings, Don   and Bill; her children, Kathie (Russ), Shelly (Marty), and Todd (Raven), her cherished grandchildren, Channing (Becky), Alex (Shannon), Ashli (Todd), Gage (Blanca), Tre (Jessica), Tyas, Trust, Teegan and Tensley; and six great-grandchildren. Connie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph Smith; her parents, Charlotte and Deryl ; and her sister-in-law Pat.

Connie lived a life filled with simple joys. She delighted in nature walks, bird watching, and working in her yard. One of her greatest pleasures was spending time with her family, often embarking on aimless car rides simply to enjoy each other’s company. Despite living a healthy lifestyle, she developed a late-in-life love affair with ice cream, a sweet indulgence that perfectly matched her own sweetness.

If you knew Connie, you loved her. She radiated kindness and joy, always appreciating life’s small wonders. Her heart overflowed with love, and her gentle, angelic spirit touched everyone she met. Her family imagines she was greeted in heaven with the blue car she always dreamed of.

A private ceremony with immediate family will be held at a later date to celebrate the beautiful life of Connie Lee Smith, a remarkable woman who embodied love and grace.