Charles "Chuck" Smith

 Charles "Chuck" James Smith, 70, of Mason City, IA, went to live with the Lord Jesus, after a courageous and lengthy battle with Alzheimer's Dementia, on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at the Caring Initiatives Health Care Facility, Eldora, IA.  A public Celebration of Chuck's Life will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at 11:00 AM, at the Clear Lake Christian Church, 302 HWY 18 West, Clear Lake. IA.  The Reverend Drew Rietjens will be officiating.  
A luncheon and time of fellowship will follow the service in the church fellowship hall.  Those wishing to express their sympathies through a memorial in Charles Smith's name may wish to consider the local Iowa Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association 1415 28th St., Ste. 430, West Des Moines, IA 50266. Please note In memory of Charles Smith credit to Alzheimer's Caregivers Support Group Team of the NI Walk to End Alzheimer's; or Clear Lake Christian Church, (missions fund), Clear Lake Church, to Chuck's wife Mary Hoye, or to the donor's choice.
     Charles Smith was born May 5, 1953, in Mason City, IA, the son of Charles and Marjorie (Kanatas) Smith.  His parents divorced and his mother later married Cecil Groven.
     Growing up Chuck attended schools in North Iowa as Chuck Groven.  In adulthood he took back the name Smith.  Chuck attended NIACC and received a Welding Certificate.
     Chuck's work life varied in his younger years, but most of his adult life he worked at Mason City Ice which became Arctic Glacier.  He was promoted to Sales Distribution Manager and later retired in 2013.  He oversaw route drivers and distribution in five areas throughout North and Central Iowa.  Because Chuck enjoyed meeting and developing strong friendships with so many of his co-workers and customers, he took great pride in providing great service at fairs, events, and trade shows throughout the area. 
     Chuck married Connie Bauer and they had one son together, Thomas.  The couple's marriage wasn't permanent, and he later married Terry Bonner, who died young of cancer.  They had no children together.
     Chuck met Mary Hoye in 2008 and they began dating in 2009.  They married in 2018.  Chuck called Mary his "favorite wife", the love of his life, and they both felt blessed to have been brought together as Chuck put it "for their final journey".
      Chuck was known as being very friendly and loved to make people laugh.  Chuck gave his life to Jesus his savior in February of 2015 and was baptized at Clear Lake Christian Church in May of 2015.    Chuck and Mary love their church family and Chuck especially enjoyed his friends in the Men's Bible Study.  Chuck liked cooking very much and organized a couple of the spaghetti dinners with the men's group.
      Chuck especially enjoyed taking road trips with Mary, taking walks, or just sitting on the patio watching the birds and helping Mary with the yard.
      Chuck was preceded in death by his father Charles Smith, mother Marjorie Groven and half-brother Charlie Kidd.
      Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Mary Hoye, Mason City, IA; son Thomas Smith, Garner, IA; stepdaughters Kacie Krominga, Des Moines, IA and Breana Krominga (Dalton James), Albert Lea, MN; and grandsons Xander Smith and Jackson Smith; and step-granddaughter Fiona James.  Stepfather Cecil Groven, Mason City, IA; sisters: Lois Nelson (Phil Perry), Northwood, IA, Sherry (Jeff) Dolphin, Britt, IA, Tammy (Mike) Bain, St. Joseph, MO, Linda Sanders, Rochester, MN, Patty Groven, Manly, IA, and Karen Powers, Mason City, IA; nine nieces and nephews, several great nieces and nephews, and many, many friends.
      Andrews Funeral Homes, Belmond, IA.  http://www.andrewsfuneralhomeandfloral.com 641-444-4474.