Marilyn Ardith Smith

Marilyn Ardith Smith, beloved daughter of Edward and Anna (Jeppesen) Lu nd, was born on August 10, 1938, at her parents' home near Wiota, Iowa. Surrounded by the comfort of home and the love of her family, Marilyn passed away peacefully on June 30, 2026, at the age of 87.

Family and friends are invited to gather in remembrance of her. Visitation will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 1105 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, Iowa, where loved ones may come together to share memories, offer comfort, and celebrate her life. A Funeral Service will follow at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Following the service, she will be laid to rest at Exira Cemetery on Mockingbird Avenue in Exira, Iowa. All who knew and loved her are warmly invited to join the family as they honor her memory, reflect on the moments they shared, and celebrate a life that touched so many.

Marilyn was baptized, confirmed, and married at Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa, a church that remained a meaningful part of her life's journey.

She graduated from Exira High School with the Class of 1956 and, later that year, married the love of her life, Richard Smith. Together they built a loving home and were blessed with three children: Mike, Vicki, and Randy.

Marilyn dedicated her career to serving her community with kindness and diligence. She worked for seven years as a State Clerk with the Soil Conservation Service office in Audubon before serving as a Program Assistant for five years with the Audubon County ASCS office and ten years with the Cass County ASCS office. She later spent ten years as the Activities Director's secretary at Audubon High School, where her warm smile and caring nature touched many students and staff. She retired in 2000 after a lifetime of faithful service.

In 2007, Marilyn moved to West Des Moines, where she became a devoted member of St. Mark Lutheran Church and found joy in her church family.

Marilyn found happiness in life's simple pleasures. She loved creating beautiful denim quilts, challenging herself with crossword puzzles and Sudoku, and, above all, spending time with those she loved most. Nothing brought her greater joy than watching her grandchildren grow, attending their sporting events and school activities, and celebrating each of their accomplishments. Her quiet love, gentle encouragement, and unwavering support will be treasured always.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard; her cherished daughter, Vicki; her daughter-in-law, Earlene; her parents; her sister, Verla, and brother-in-law, Lyle; her brother, Marvin; and her nephew, Donald Huffman.

Those left to cherish Marilyn's memory include her sons, Mike (Jennifer) Smith of Waukee and Randy Smith of Windsor Heights; her grandchildren, Jeremy (Emily) of Vancouver, Washington, Taylor Hartman, Nathan Smith, Ben Smith, all of Des Moines, and Hunter Smith of Waukee; her twin great-granddaughters, Tamara and Taryn Smith of Vancouver, Washington; Harrison and Holden Hartman of Des Moines; many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends whose lives were enriched by her kindness and gentle spirit.

Marilyn will be remembered for her quiet strength, loving heart, and the unwavering devotion she showed to her family and friends. Her gentle presence, warm smile, and the love she shared so freely will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.