LIVESTREAM LINK FOR CARLEN GAIL SMITH

Carlen Gail (Gruenhagen) Smith, 80, of Storm Lake died Wednesday May 3, 2023 at 12:42pm surrounded by her three loving sons.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 8, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee, Iowa. Pastor Ben Dose will officiate. Burial will be in the Afton Township Cemetery in rural Cherokee, Iowa. Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 7, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with the family present from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee, Iowa. Services will be livestreamed on the Boothby Funeral Home Website with the assistance of Fuller Digital Solutions. Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com .

To honor Carlen's long time commitment to the health of the community, donations can be made to the BVRMC Foundation for education and scholarships % BVRMC Foundation 1525 West 5 ^th Street, Storm Lake, Iowa 50588.

She was born on November 30, 1942, in Primghar, IA to Paul and Bertha (Witt) Gruenhagen. From a very early age, Carlen had a love of learning and she graduated as Valedictorian from Paullina High School in 1961. Her passion for higher education and research led her to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Science at the University of Iowa and she graduated in 1966.

After graduation, Carlen moved to Storm Lake to start a long career at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center as a Medical Technologist (MT ASCP). Shortly thereafter, Carlen married her high school sweetheart, Floyd "Swede" LeRoy Smith on July 9th, 1966. Carlen valued the Smith farming operation in Cherokee, but she was also pragmatic and continued employment at the hospital for over forty-five years. During her tenure, she served as the Director of the Clinic Laboratory in the 1970s and then upon having children transitioned to Supervisor of the Microbiology Department. Carlen's dedication to her work, laboratory talents, and microbiology knowledge served thousands over the years through her service at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center.

Carlen was a woman who valued the simplicity of life. She enjoyed genealogy, walks with her friend Bev, the loving companionship of her dog Gracie, scrapbooking and the joy of her five grandchildren. Carlen's witty banter with her three sons was endearing and she took great pride in their various accomplishments; especially their fortitude in ensuring their late father's farming legacy. Carlen's plethora of interests ranged from politics, to history and science, to Iowa State football and basketball. She supported many wildlife refuges and helped her grandkids construct more Lego sets than most people would have the patience for. Her Christmas sugar cookies were more valuable than gold amongst her sons and grandkids. Carlen's recipes could never be replicated, nor could her loyalty be for those whom she loved dearly.

Carlen is survived by her three sons, Thomas Smith, Atlanta, GA; Mark and Jennifer (Clem) Smith and their three sons, Cedar, Sterling and Kye, Nevada, IA; Matthew and Liz (Groher) Smith and their two daughters, Clea and Sieler; and also her siblings, brother Dennis Gruenhagen, Moorcraft, WY; sister Dianna Myers, Mission Viejo, CA; sister Lynn Henderson and her husband Lee, Spencer, IA.

Carlen was preceded in death by her husband Floyd "Swede" LeRoy Smith and her parents, Paul and Bertha Gruenhagen.