Eleanor Jane Smith

Eleanor Jane Smith, 101, of Indianola, Iowa, passed away February 4, 2026 at The Village in Indianola. No services are planned at this time.

Eleanor was born February 19, 1924 in Gladbrook, Iowa to Roy Milton and Ruth Esther (Bruene) Koster and joined a sister Ethel Maurine. She was a graduate of Gladbrook High School and received her Bachelor of Science from Iowa State College in Institution Management. She also took graduate courses at Iowa State University and the University of Iowa.

Eleanor was united in marriage to Eugene Taylor Smith on September 20, 1947 in Gladbrook. They had two children, Scott and Sana. Eleanor worked as a food supervisor for Stouffer Restaurant Corp, taught Jr. High homemaking, worked as a dietary consultant for several nursing homes and was a homemaker extraordinaire.

Eleanor and Gene loved to travel and visited all 50 states in the USA. They also made trips to England, Scotland, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan and Mexico.

Eleanor was a member of the Indianola First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Bible study, PEO, Monday Club, Shakespeare Club and enjoyed flower arranging, gardening, sewing, reading, bridge, antiques, Friendship Force and her grandchildren.

Eleanor and Gene were founding members of The Village which began as a mutual dream in 1981, became their retirement project and a dream come true.

Eleanor is survived by her son-in-law, Duane Danielson; grandchildren, Deanne O'Hollearn, Taylor Ruecking and Tom Danielson; five great grandchildren, two nieces and one nephew. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene; daughter, Sana; and son, Scott.