Margaret Joan "Jo" Smith

1932 - 2020

Margaret Joan "Jo" Smith, 88, Red Oak, passed away suddenly Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, at her daughter's home in Conrad.
Jo Smith, the daughter of Floyd L. and Gertrude M. (Mitchell) Strong, was born March 14, 1932, at Greenfield. Jo was raised in the Orient, Iowa area. She graduated in 1949 from the Orient Consolidated High School as class valedictorian. Jo attended Iowa State University, graduating in 1953, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics Education.
On June 28, 1953, Jo was united in marriage to Russell Smith in Orient. At the time of their wedding, Russell was serving in the U.S. Air Force, so when he received orders to report to Anchorage, Alaska, Jo returned to her parents' home and taught for one semester at Orient Consolidated School - the same school she had graduated from. Later, she joined Russell in Anchorage, and they really enjoyed living in Alaska for 16 months. They returned to farm in Montgomery County until 1969, when they made the family farm near Emerson their home.
Besides being involved in all their children's activities, Jo served with the Mills County Extension Home Economic committee, youth committee and as a 4-H leader. She was also involved with the Mills County Genealogical Society, Rainbow Girls Advisory Board, the Methodist Church women's group and Parish Council, and Asbury Neighborhood Club. In 1993, Jo and Russell moved to Red Oak, where she continued to be active in P.E.O. Chapter HB, Order of Eastern Star in Emerson and later Atlantic chapter, the Red Oak Presbyterian Church and Presbyterian Women - Rebecca Circle, AAUW America Association of University Women, Red Oak Book and Study Club, Acorn Acres Housing Board, Montgomery County Memorial Hospital Foundation Board and Auxiliary volunteer, YMCA volunteer and Red Oak Public Library volunteer. Jo treasured her family and friends dearly.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Russell Smith on Sept. 9, 2010; and sisters, Barbara LaFollette and Carolyn Cole.
Jo is survived by her two children, Jacquelyn (Brad) Stevens of Conrad, and Gary (Anne) Smith of Glenwood; grandsons, Brady (Melissa) Smith of Emerson; Grant Stevens of Glenwood Springs, Colo.; and Clark Stevens of Chicago, Ill.; granddaughter, Emily (Matt) Portrey of Glenwood; great-grandsons, Michael and Ethan Portrey of Glenwood; great-granddaughters, Oliva and Emma Portrey of Glenwood, and Sawyer Smith of Emerson; and step-great-granddaughter, Shayna Portrey of Kansas City, Mo.; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
May God bless her memory and give strength to those who mourn.
Funeral Service will be held Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. at Presbyterian Church, Red Oak, with Rev. Caryn Pedersen officiating. Burial will be in the Emerson Cemetery, Emerson. Facial coverings and social distancing are required.
Jo's service will be live-streamed on Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home's Facebook page.
Open Viewing will be Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home, Red Oak.
Memorials may be directed to the Presbyterian Church or Red Oak Public Library. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at sldfuneralhome.com.
Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.