Grace Darlene Smith

Grace Darlene Smith, 82, who was born to Louis and Lillian Faye (Rice) Hansen on March 20, 1934 in Eagle Grove, Iowa passed away on October 26, 2016 in Johnston, Iowa. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at 1:00 p.m., with visitation one hour prior to the service, both at Ernst Funeral Home. Interment to follow at the Waukee Cemetery. Grace graduated from Mason City High School. In 1955, she married the love of her life, Kenneth L. Smith, in Mason City. Together they moved to a small farm house in rural Thornton, IA. In 1961 they adopted a daughter who they named Cynthia Lee Smith and then moved to rural Clear Lake, IA where they resided on Cedar Avenue. Grace was a Mercy Registered Nurse. She loved cats, and welcomed many into her home giving them a second chance at life. Grace had a heart of gold which could be seen by her involvement in neighborhood activities and the support and love she extended to her nieces and nephews. Grace is survived by her daughter Cynthia (Thomas) Bower of Waukee; granddaughter Lily Grace (Aaron) Ilvess of Des Moines; great-grandchildren Alexandria, Quinton and Hunter Ilvess; several sisters and brothers-in-law and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Kenneth and two sisters. Memorials may be directed to any Wells Fargo in Grace's memory. The family also requests one can bring to the service name brand cat food which will be donated in Grace’s memory to the ARL of Iowa or laundry detergent and canned meat for the Waukee Christian Food Bank. Family and friends who would care to share photos of Grace for her Memorial Photo Video can email them to: ernstwaukee@gmail.com. The family request guests wear purple in honor and memory of Grace.