Gail Smith

Gail Smith, 78, of Grinnell, IA and formerly of Rock Island, IL, died on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at UnityPoint Grinnell Regional Medical Center.

A private family burial will be held at Rock Island Memorial Park Cemetery in Rock Island.

Memorials may be designated to the Grinnell Booster Club or to the Rock Island Booster Club and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with Gail's family online at www.smithfh.com.

Gail Marie (Kempf) Smith was born on January 5, 1948, in Eureka, Illinois, the daughter of Ervin and Alice (Miller) Kempf. She was raised in Eureka and graduated from Eureka High School with the Class of 1966.

On May 22, 1971, she was united in marriage to Lyle Eugene Smith in Peoria, Illinois. The couple made their home in Peoria, where they began their family, including Lyle's two children, Brett and Brenda, and their first daughter, Allison. In 1975, they moved to Rock Island, Illinois, where they welcomed two more children, Dustin and Lindsey.

Gail devoted herself to her family as a homemaker while her children were young. Later, she worked as an office administrator at All American Modular Homes in Moline, Illinois, and as a dental assistant for Dr. Gregory Glade in Port Byron, Illinois.

She found joy in gardening, reading, and solving puzzles, but her greatest happiness came from attending her grandchildren's sporting events and school activities. A supportive and loving mother, wife, granny, and sister, Gail was known for her selflessness and for always putting the needs of others before her own.

Gail was a woman of deep faith. She was a member of Southpark Presbyterian Church in Rock Island, where she taught Sunday school, later attended Heritage Church in Rock Island, and after moving to Grinnell became a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. She was active in the communities she resided in and served on the Junior Board of Rock Island in the 1990s as well as the Rock Island Booster Club.

Gail is survived by her husband of 54 years, Gene Smith of the Mayflower Community in Grinnell; her daughter, Allison Smith Stahl of Moline, IL and her children, Nate, Jake and Josh; her son, Dustin (Sarah) Smith of Grinnell and their children, Alex and Josie; her daughter, Lindsey (Tony) Munson of Milan, IL and their children, Abi and Yene; her stepson, Brett (Kelly) Smith of Blue Springs, MO and their children, Renae and Kayti (Nick); her stepdaughter, Brenda Smith of Greenbrier, AR and her children, Ashley (Zerek), Ryan, and Danielle; her nine great-grandchildren; her siblings, Elaine Hodel of Roanoke, IL, Maxine (Dave) Hodel of Bloomington, IL, Boots (Jeff) Schrock of Wauseon, OH, and Bernie (Don) Miller of Molalla, OR; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her sister, Cheri (Dan) Maher.