Sarah Diane Smith

Sarah Diane Smith, 54, of Wasilla, Alaska, passed away on September 11, 2025.
Sarah was born on November 19, 1970, in Bemidji MN. to Steve and Gale (Summer) Croft. She graduated from Nikiski High School in 1990. She attended Vermilion Community College in Ely, MN where she met her husband, Chad. They relocated to Alaska in 1991 where she continued her education at the University of Alaska Anchorage. They started a family and Sarah began working in daycare to keep her children close by. Sarah continued to work in a variety of professions while continuing to raise her children with her husband. Sarah retired and pursued her passions of gardening, crafting, and her newest hobby of aquascaping until her passing.
Sarah has been married to Chad Smith since July 30, 1994, sharing three children together including Timothy Smith of Wasilla, AK; Tyler Smith (Kyle Magers) of Seattle, WA; Amanda Smith of Wasilla, AK.
Sarah is preceded in death by her mother, Gale Croft (Summer), and is survived by her father, Steve Croft of Nikiski, AK and her one sister, Laura Helms (Croft) of Kenai, AK. Sarah had many cousins, extended family, and friends across the country that she cherished. She loved her two cats Bean and Java and several dogs throughout the years. Although she did not have grandchildren she loved her children's dogs as her grandpuppies.
Sarah's family moved from Minnesota to Alaska when she was four years old. In her early years she helped her mother with home daycare where she fostered a passion and love of caring for children. She helped her father build their log home in Nikiski, AK where she was raised. During this time she was surrounded by many of the people that she loved and considered family. As a child she enjoyed the freedom that Alaska offered including riding her horse Smoky wherever her heart desired. She spent summers working in fish canneries where she developed a strong work ethic and the ability to make friends with anyone from anywhere.
Sarah had a deep connection to the Alaskan outdoor lifestyle. She had a love of fishing from salmon on the Kenai Peninsula to ocean fishing in Prince William Sound. Sarah loved sitting around a campfire with a cup of her favorite coffee, whether at a family cabin or in her own back yard spending time with family and friends. Sarah spent years cultivating her flower beds, trees, and gardens into her backyard oasis. She loved to help her family harvest and process the bounty that Alaska had to offer from wild game, fish, berries, and her garden vegetables.
Later in life, Sarah enjoyed traveling to the Lower 48 to visit family and friends. She had many road trips across the country both with family and on solo adventures, fueling her free spirit. Sarah loved to drive with the windows down and sing along to her favorite songs at full volume. Her trips were always filled with laughter, adventure, and many many pit stops.
Sarah inherited her artistic abilities from both of her parents. She spent many years crafting and vending at holiday bazaars with her Mother. Later she later began painting taking inspiration from her father and found an affinity for mandala art work.
Sarah was spiritual in many ways including her faith in Jesus. She enjoyed attending church and independent Bible study. She wished to be cremated and have her ashes spread across her favorite places by her family. Sarah did not want a traditional funeral but rather a fun party with her family, friends and loved ones. It was in Sarah's nature to help those in need and should you wish to do so, nothing would make her happier than offering a donation or providing a kind gesture to help another person in need.