Walter James 'Wally' Smith, 28 Jan 1953 - 06 Mar 2023

SMITH, SPENCE, BEECHER, DURKOP, ZAIGER, BUTLER

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 3/15/2023 at 13:55:48

Walter J. “Wally” Smith, age 70, of Marengo, passed away Monday, March 6, 2023, at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics in Iowa City. Funeral service: 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 10, 2023, at Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo with Rev. Diane Vorhies officiating. Burial will be at the Marengo Cemetery. Visitation: 4-7 p.m., Thursday, March 9, 2023, at Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo. Memorials may be directed to the Iowa Donor Network, Attention: Monica West, 550 Madison Ave., North Liberty, Iowa 52317. Kloster Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Wally is survived by his loving wife Susie of Marengo, his children Duane (Shelly) Smith of¬ Marengo, Brandi (Tony) Beecher of Cascade and Derek Smith of Marengo; nine grandchildren Kayla (Dallas) Durkop of Lost Nation, IA., Dalton Beecher of Cedar Falls, Savannah Smith of Marengo, Davis Smith of Ankeny, Dawson Smith of Marengo, Brody Beecher of Cascade, Dane Smith of Marengo, Avery Beecher of Cascade, Declan Smith of Marengo; a sister Shirley Zaiger of Marion; and a father-in-law Gary Spence of Marengo.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his mother-in-law Delma Spence; his brothers Howard and Harold Emerson; and 2 brothers-in-law Bob Zaiger and Ross Butler.

Walter James Smith was born January 28, 1953, in Marengo, the son of James and Thelma Smith. He graduated from Iowa Valley High School with the class of 1972. Wally was united in marriage to Susan D. Spence on July 21, 1972, at the Marengo Methodist Church. Wally drove a semi for Susie’s father, Gary, right out of high school. He later worked as an electrician for Pioneer Hybrid International Inc. from 1974 until he retired in 2012. Wally was a volunteer fireman in Marengo and served as the assistant fire chief for 14 years.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching the Hawkeyes, and attending his grandkids activities. Wally was a funny and hardworking man, and gave his unconditional love to all of his family. Wally was given a second chance at life after his liver transplant and made the most out of each day after he was blessed with. He will be greatly missed by many.

Published in The Hometown Current on March 15, 2023.