Caroline Smith

August 18, 1924 - June 19, 2020

Caroline J. Smith, age 95, of Oskaloosa, passed away on Friday, June 19, 2020 at the Comfort Hospice House in Pella, Iowa. She was born on August 18, 1924, in Marion County, Iowa, the daughter of Orval and Jeanette (Schakel) Baughman. She attended Amsterdam Country Schools in Marion County until 8th grade. On July 18, 1970 she was united in marriage to John W. Smith in Oskaloosa. They enjoyed 27 years of marriage together until Johns passing in February 1998. Caroline had a strong work ethic, which started at the age of 13 when she worked as a mother’s helper. She also helped her dad on the farm doing everything from hand picking corn to milking cows. Caroline was the Jill-of-all trades and held many different jobs over her lifetime. She especially enjoyed her time she was employed at Pella Corp and her job as a school bus driver. She eventually became the manager of a bookstore and Mattingly Music Store until the store closed which ended her working days at the age of 80. She enjoyed crocheting, working in her yard and was especially known for her famous pies she would bake. Her family includes her daughters, Cheryl DeHeer of Otley and Shelby (Skip) Allgood of Cedar Rapids; her stepson, Harold (Judy) Bohlen of Thonotosassa, FL; her grandson, Arlan (Tammy) DeHeer; a granddaughter, Leslie (Jeff) Clauson; her great granddaughters, Carly and Kelsey Clauson; her sister, Vera Horman and a nephew, Lyle Horman. In addition to her husband, Caroline was preceded in death by her parents; Orval and Jeanette; a brother, LeRoy Baughman and 2 granddaughters, Kara DeHeer and Lechelle Allgood. A graveside service will be held Tuesday, June 23, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa with Arlan DeHeer officiating. According to the rules put in place by the Iowa Department of Public Health, proper social distancing and reasonable personal protective equipment is advised for attending a religious public event. The graveside service will be live streamed at the funeral home’s YouTube Channel for those wishing to support the family from a distance. Memorials may be made to the Comfort Hospice House in Pella.