Kirsten Louise Smith

KIRSTEN LOUISE SMITH

Hiawatha

Kirsten Louise Smith, 40, peacefully left this earth on Jan. 31, 2022, following a challenging health journey. Visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, at the Cedar Memorial Chapel Stateroom: 4200 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402.

Kirsten came into the world on Oct. 25, 1981, in Waterloo, Iowa, and joined her parents, Duane and Ellen Smith, and brother Jason, and completed their family.

She attended Linn-Mar High School, graduating in 2000, and attended and graduated from COE College in 2004 where she earned two bachelor's degrees in business marketing and psychology. Following her college graduation, she joined TrueNorth Companies in 2004 as the director of marketing. In 2017 she was named vice president of marketing and brand strategy, the position she currently held. In addition to her roles at TrueNorth, Kirsten gave her time and heart to Community Outreach and most recently worked on establishing the TrueNorth Legacy Foundation. Kirsten was passionate about helping others through giving, and her scope of philanthropy encompassed a large portion of the United States. Closest to her heart was her 10 year long tenure as the president of the Board of Directors for the Cedar Valley Humane Society.

In Kirsten's own words, "It's no secret I am passionate about animals. I believe that humans have a responsibility to creatures that can't communicate their needs and hardships." Kirsten's accomplishments and honors are too numerous to list, but are a true testimony of the selfless, heart-centered woman she was.

Kirsten and Mike Eddins were joined in marriage on Nob. 3, 2006. On April 18, 2009, they were blessed by the birth of their daughter, Lila.

To Kirsten, family was everything, and her "family" far surpassed her biological family. She had a magical ability to connect and impact anyone she encountered. She brought so much love to everyone and everything she was a part of. Her presence will be missed by the countless people whose lives she touched in both small and enormous ways.

Kirsten leaves behind her beloved daughter, Lila Eddins, and Lila's father, Mike Eddins; her father and bonus-mom, Duane and Laura Smith; her mother, Ellen Noble; brother and sister-in-law, Jason and Jennifer Smith, and nieces, Celia and Ruby Smith, all of Cedar Rapids; Carson and Cade Saylor her bonus sister and brother; paternal grandmother, Nancy Smith; maternal grandfather, Jerry Harvey; uncles, Dave Harvey (Arlene Heck) and Max Smith (Kathy); aunts, Beth Morris (Mike), Dianne Gilchrist (Kelly) and Mary Young (Jeff); 13 first cousins; and extended family too numerous to list. She loved each and every one with her entire heart and soul. We, her survivors are her greatest legacy.

In lieu of flowers, we her family ask that you generously donate to the Cedar Valley Humane Society.

Condolences may be left at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.