Joan M. Smith

Joan Marie Smith, 64, of Clear Lake, passed away Feb., 19, 2023, at Manly Specialty Care in Manly, Iowa. 

A viewing will be held Friday, Feb. 24, from 5-7 p.m. at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 1st Ave. North, Clear Lake.

A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 25, at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, with Lay Minister Mark Doebel officiating. A private inurnment will be held at the Crystal Lake Cemetery, Crystal Lake, Iowa.

Joan Marie Smith, the daughter of Calvin August and Geraldine June (Gahan) Hansmeier, was born April 1, 1958, in Britt, Iowa. Joan was raised in the Crystal Lake area on the family farm, and graduated from Woden-Crystal Lake High School in 1976.

Joan was united in marriage to Ronald Smith on Dec. 6, 1980, at the Crystal Lake United Methodist Church. They made their home in Clear Lake where they raised two sons, Richard and James Smith.

Joan worked outside the home for Winnebago Industries in the Rotocast, Bertha and Stitchcraft buildings before the birth of her first child, Richard.  She later started working closer to home in the Clear Lake area at the Barrel Drive Inn for a number of years, RCS Auto Repair and at the AMCO gas station, repair shop her husband, Ron, ran in Clear Lake on Highway 18.

Joan enjoyed volunteering for North Iowa C.E.R.T., a civil defense agency, for a number of years before her health made it difficult for her to continue. She enjoyed baking for family and friends and making treats for the local Clear Lake Fire Department. Joan and James were known for bringing refreshments and treats during fire-calls for the firefighters. Joan enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, Cameron, Jacob and Jackson.

Joan is survived by her two sons, Richard (Kim) Smith, of Fertile and James Smith, of Clear Lake; grandchildren, Cameron Lowry, Jacob and Jackson Smith; brother, Michael C. Hansmeier, Crystal Lake; several brothers and sisters-in-law; cousins; along with other relatives and numerous friends.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Smith; an infant son; and parents, Calvin and Geraldine Hansmeier; and mother-in-law, Eleanor Smith.

Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.