Claude SMITH, Jr.

SMITH, HUNTER, FELLER, RUST, ZAKS, MCCLINTOCK, ZEEK, MULLEN, REIF

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/28/2015 at 14:46:21

September 30, 1922 --- July 23, 2015

Claude Junior Smith, 92 of Dubuque died peacefully at Shady Rest Care Center in Cascade, Iowa, on Thursday, July 23, 2015. Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, August 17, at First Congregational United Church of Christ, where there will be a visitation from 10:15 a.m. to the time of the service.

Claude was the youngest of three children born to Claude Joseph Smith and Mabel Hunter Smith on September 30, 1922 in Reinbeck, Iowa. He graduated from high school in Reinbeck and went on to attend Gates Business College in Waterloo, Iowa. Claude was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving from 1942-1946. After his honorable discharge he returned to Reinbeck to work in Smith’s Restaurant, where he met his future wife, Lois Feller. They were married on July 11, 1948.

After their marriage Claude and Lois were proprietors of a grocery and then a sundry store in Plainfield, Iowa. Claude found his calling in the lumber business when he went to work at the Plainfield Eclipse Lumber Company. He was soon promoted to manage the yard in Shell Rock, Iowa. In 1960 he was employed by Spahn and Rose Lumber Company and managed yards in Belmond and Knoxville, Iowa, before moving to Dubuque in 1968 as the assistant manager of the Dubuque Spahn and Rose yard.

Claude enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, hunting, camping, boating and golfing. After his retirement, he and Lois enjoyed traveling, visiting much of the United States as well as many locations abroad.

Claude was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Lois. He is survived by his three children, Joy Smith (David Rust), Linda (John) McClintock, Ken (Marilyn) Smith; three grandchildren Aaron Rust (Nadia Zaks), Caleb Smith (Devin Zeek), Sarra (Jennifer) Mullen; and two great grandchildren Ella Zaks Rust and Madison Zeek. Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Des Moines, Iowa or the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 255 W. 10th Street, Dubuque, IA.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Lou Reif, a good friend and caregiver whose love, support, and vivacious personality added so much to Claude and Lois’s lives. Lou’s spirited friendship was a gift to the entire family. We would also like to thank Hospice of Dubuque and the staff at Shady Rest Care Center for their care and support of Claude.

http://www.obitsforlife.com/obituary/1142275/Smith-Claude.php