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Lanetta Smith
LANETTA SMITH
Cedar Rapids
Lanetta Smith, 89, of Cedar Rapids, passed away on Friday, May 20, 2016, eight days before her 90th birthday, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 24, at 10:30 a.m. with a visitation starting an hour prior at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories.
Lanetta was born May 28, 1926, on a farm near Washington, Iowa, to George and Clara (Shradel) Goetz. Her education began in a one-room schoolhouse in Union Dale Highland Township of Washington County. In 1944, she graduated from Washington High School, Washington, Iowa. Lanetta met Milton Smith at Danceland during his service in the Marine Corps. On Oct. 30, 1946, they married and resided in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for 66 years.
Lanetta displayed a strong work ethic while working for 33 years in the office of the Quaker Oats Co. She was humbly proud to have been a member of the Mensa Society. Milton and Lanetta were lifetime members of the Waltonian Archery Club. They enjoyed golfing, bowling and traveling to 49 states plus Canada and Mexico.
She shared her many talents including leadership and organization qualities with young girls through Blue Birds, Campfire and Horizons. Skills through sewing and crafts displayed her artistic abilities. Lanetta was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who always wanted to teach life's lessons to others she loved.
Lanetta is survived by her daughter, Lana (Joe) Baldus of Cedar Rapids; two brothers, John Goetz of Cedar Rapids and Donald (Carolyn) Goetz of Hartford City, Ind.; three grandchildren, Joe (Sara) Baldus, Justine (Keith) Kadlec and Stephanie (Chris) Peterson, all of Cedar Rapids; and seven great-grandchildren, Hunter, Brie and Maggie Baldus, Madison, Cameron and Maci Kadlec and Sylvie Peterson.
Lanetta was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Milton in 2012; and sisters, Norma Longfield, Denver, Colo., and Regina Faye Goetz, Washington, Iowa.
Memorials in Lanetta's name may be made to the American Cancer Society or Waltonian Archers.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.
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