Lois Diane (Keuck) Smith 1947 - 2021

KEUCK, SMITH

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 2/9/2021 at 11:08:54

Sioux City Journal
27 January 2021

Lois Diane (Keuck) Smith

Tuscon, Ariz., and Climbing Hill, Iowa

Lois Diane (Keuck) Smith, 73, of Tucson, and Climbing Hill, died Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, at her winter home in Tucson, after a valiant battle with cancer.

Service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sioux City, with visitation starting at 11 a.m. Internment will follow at the cemetery in Climbing Hill. Loved ones are welcome but shouldn't feel at all obligated to attend given these unprecedented times. The service will be livestreamed for those who prefer to celebrate Lois's life remotely.

Lois was born May 16, 1947, near Moville, Iowa. She grew up on a farm, surrounded by love, a large family of uncles, aunts, cousins, and a long series of dogs, all named George.

In 1962, when Moville's school district merged with Climbing Hill's, Lois met Steve Smith. Steve asked Lois out on a date; she said yes, and they soon became the love of one another's life. They married on Sept. 3, 1967, and were blessed with more than 53 years of marriage and nearly 60 years together.

Steve and Lois built their life together on their family farm near Climbing Hill, where they raised hogs, cattle, corn, and soybeans, as well as three children, Hilary (Kleese), Josie (Uecker), and Guy Smith. Lois prayed diligently for the perfect mates for her kids, and she got them. Sons-in-law, Tom Kleese and Josh Uecker, and daughter-in-law, Ellery Smith joined the family. Soon, Steve and Lois were blessed with eight grandchildren, Riley, Jack, Joe, Calvin, Grace, Isaiah, Kate, and Cade.

Lois had a strong Christian faith all her life. She prayed faithfully, and God always answered, although often in unexpected ways. Her only prayer left unanswered this side of heaven was a booming, soulful singing voice, but she put in a good word with God, and we're confident she's got it now.

Lois lived out her faith in the way she loved and cared for her family, friends and community both in Iowa and in Tucson, where she and Steve spent winter months. She was quick to notice when someone needed a friend and to be there for them, giving freely and joyfully of her heart, prayers, time, hugs, wise words, casseroles, and quilts. Lois loved people lavishly, prayed fervently, served joyfully, and giggled delightfully.

Over the years, she loved volunteering for causes dear to her heart, including providing support to pregnant women in need with Birthright and the Alpha Center in Sioux City. In Tucson, Steve and Lois spent time at the local food bank, and Lois shared her love for sewing with young people at Teens Sew Cool. Steve and Lois were members of the Community Church at SaddleBrooke in Tucson, and Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sioux City.

Lois died Jan. 17, 2021, at her home in Tucson, surrounded by Steve and her three kids. She left this earth as the sun came up over the Catalina Mountains on a Sunday morning, just in time for church in heaven. No masks required.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Grace Missions Mali, Youth on Their Own in Tucson, or Mission Central in Mapleton, Iowa, organizations that are doing amazing work and are dear to Lois and her family.

And when you get to heaven, look for Lois in the angel choir because that's where she'll be.