Rakel A. Smith

Rakel A. Smith, 83, of Clear Lake, passed away on Dec. 1, 2023 at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City, Iowa. 

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 11, at Galilean Lutheran Church, 4454 255th St., Clear Lake.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Galilean Lutheran Church or MercyOne Hospice in honor of Rakel. 

Rakel was born Aug. 21, 1940, in Nannestad, Norway, daughter of Halfdan and Ruth (Gran) Sand. Rakel was united in marriage with Donald Smith in Nannestad, on April 12, 1958. They were blessed with three daughters. Her family moved to Meservey, Iowa following Donnie’s retirement from the Air Force. She worked as a sales associate at Younkers for many years. 

Rakel was a very involved member of Galilean Lutheran Church, devoting much of her time to the quilting group and bible study. She was a talented seamstress and could mend any and all manner of clothing. Her daughters fondly remember the clothing she had sewn for them. Rakel enjoyed playing solitaire, as well as, cooking and baking. She loved spending time with her daughters, grandsons, great-grandchildren, and her friend, Julie. Rakel was a proud Norwegian woman. Her heritage meant a lot to her and she took as many opportunities as she could to travel back to visit her family. She will be remembered for her sense of humor and the kindness she shared with others, as well as, the many stories about her home country. 

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Elsie (Tim) Patrick, Post Falls, Idaho; Shirley Kaduce, Meservey; Mary (Dave) Smit, Sheffield; grandsons, Chris Kaduce, Derek (Selena) Smit and Ryan (Whitnee) Smit; great-grandchildren, Drake Kaduce and River Smit; and friend, Julie Montgomery

Rakel was preceded in death by her parents; her best friend and former husband, Donnie; brothers and sisters, as well as brothers and sisters-in-law. 

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