Violet May Smith

Violet May Smith, daughter of John, Sr., and Eliza (Miller) Hoffman, was born in Waterloo, Iowa, on May 1, 1920. She was baptized on April 6, 1933, and confirmed on March 25, 1934, both at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waterloo.

Violet graduated in 1938 from West High School in Waterloo, where she lettered in tennis. After graduation, she became manager of Service Printing Company for 13 years. In the last few years of her employment, her workspace was invaded by a bold Army soldier (William Alexander Smith of Horton, Iowa), who walked past her to go to the print room. However, he softened her demeanor, and they were married in a very small wedding on July 8, 1951, at Trinity Lutheran Church of Waterloo. Bill preceded her in death on February 26, 1999.

After retiring from Service Printing, she became a “domestic engineer,” took care of several neighborhood children, and did housecleaning for three families.

She enjoyed ice skating, roller skating, hiking, biking, tapdancing, telling and listening to jokes, sewing, watching sports, traveling to many states in the USA and Canada, and even cleaning. She was a member of “Sewing Club,” “Lucky 13,” the YWCA, and Cedar Heights Woman’s Club.

Bill and Vi were members at Trinity for many years, where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and they served on many church committees. She also belonged to several church circles and Bible study groups.

In December 1987, she and Bill became charter members of Ascension Lutheran Church where they served on the Altar Committee for many years. They were faithful in worship and Holy Communion until they were called home.

Vi and Bill supported Servant Unique Family Ministries and traveled to Mexico several times with son Brian and his wife Candy to deliver the humanitarian aid collected for the Latin American Lutheran Mission.

Violet passed away in a hospice suite at UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital in Waterloo on Monday, June 29, 2026, at the age of 106 years, one month, and 29 days. Preceding her in death were her husband William; her parents; three brothers, John (Mardelle Young Akin) Hoffman, Robert (Cleone) Hoffman, and William in infancy; two sisters, Fern (Robert) Harbaugh and Caroline “Susan” (Ray) Ohrt; granddaughter, Sara (Smith) Nutter; and several nephews and nieces.

She is survived by two sons, Mark William Smith (Susan Olsen) of Minneapolis, MN, and Brian Marshall (Candis) Smith of Waterloo, IA; three grandchildren, Nathan (Hannah) Smith, Minneapolis, MN, Aaron (Tina) Smith, Østfold, Norway, and Nicole Smith, Charles City, IA; nine great-grandchildren, Oliver and Elliott Nutter, Minneapolis and Cottage Grove, MN, Sebastian, Theodore, and Remington Smith, Minneapolis, MN, Jacob and Rachel Smith, Østfold, Norway, and Krystina Campbell and Skyler Smith, Cedar Falls, IA; Sara’s husband Charlie (Sondra Radke-Nutter) Nutter, Cottage Grove, MN; step great grandsons, Liam and Duncan Koster; niece and nephews; great neighbors, and a loving church family.

Funeral Service: 11:00 am, Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at Ascension Lutheran Church, 2211 Maynard Ave. Burial to take place at 1:30 pm, in Garden of Memories Cemetery, both in Waterloo.

Visitation: 4:00 – 6:00 pm, Monday, July 6, 2026, at Locke on 4th St., 1519 W. 4th St, Waterloo.

Memorials may be directed to Ascension Lutheran Church for Ukraine through Rev. Scott Yount or to a charity of donor’s choice.

Locke on 4th Street is assisting the family. Locke on 4th Street, 319-233-6138.