Davey Lee Smith

1929 - 2025

Davey Lee Smith, 95, of Waverly, died Monday, March 10, 2025, at his residence.
I was born December 21, 1929, to Clare and Mildred (Dalton) Smith. I was raised on a small farm in Delhi, Iowa. We were poor but with hard work my family raised vegetables in the gardens and cattle for milk and beef. My early education was the country school right next door named Copper Head. I graduated from Delhi High School in 1948, married Shirleybelle Mabel Willie on September 15, 1951 and 6 weeks later entered the Army serving in the Korean War. In 1956, I graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Agriculture and Mechanical Arts. My first teaching job was at Tripoli High School, I loved my students and enjoyed teaching the required agriculture curriculum but also the basics of a good firm handshake and eye contact with confidence. After two years of teaching, I left the profession and went into the insurance world working for Farm Bureau and then as an independent agent in Denver, Iowa. After retirement I needed a bit more excitement and bigger challenges, so I started buying and selling vehicles and real estate. Handshake deals, writing up sales agreements on the hood of a car or even a paper napkin was how I operated. Occasionally I even bought properties site unseen.
In 2006, I was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre' syndrome which required over a year of recovering and changed my life. From then on I said over and over, "I am so blessed". I always said I could write a book about all the things I have done so my grandson Garrett made it happen. The book is titled, "Ain't It Great". I loved my Harley Davidson trike, riding it until I was 92 yrs old. I have many memories of 20 years of trips to Sturgis with my son Larry. One of my favorite things to do was going to Cliff's Place in Horton for breakfast and lunch. I am proud to have served my country and being active with the Waverly Amvets/VFW and the Denver American Legion. I am proud to be a life member of Iowa State Alumni, and a proud Waverly resident for 63 years.
My greatest contribution to this earth is my children. Bonnie (Doug) Kurtt of Northfield, MN, Larry (Jill Boeckmann) of Waverly/Tripoli and Connie Folkerts of Plainfield. My wonderful grandchildren: Garrett Kurtt, Kory Kurtt and Tyler (Haley) Kurtt, Meghan Thornton, Miles Smith, Hayley (Cody) Meister, Hannah Folkerts and Dillon Folkerts. Great grandchildren: Rhodes Meister and Ashton Sebring. I'm also survived by my sister, Marilyn Hunt. Preceding me in death are my parents, Clare and Mildred Smith, my wife, Shirley (Willie) Smith, sisters, Phyllis Fowler and Marcia Willard, my favorite brother, Merle and little brother, Jimmy.
Memorial Visitation will be held from 4-7?p.m. on Thursday, March 27th, 2025, at the Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly. Private Inurnment with military rites will be held at a later date in Harlington Cemetery in Waverly. Memorial contributions may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice or to the family for a park bench and plaque in remembrance of Davey. Online condolences may be left at kaisercorson.com.
Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly is in charge of arrangements. 319-352-1187