Curtis Sheldon Smith passed from this life on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at the Jewish Life Center in Des Moines, IA. Curt was born in New Jersey on 9/13/52.
Curt’s father was killed in an airplane accident when Curt was 8 years old, leaving Helen to raise Curt and Bruce on her own. Later in life, Helen married Bill Schaudt, thus adding the Schaudt kids to Helen’s two boys creating a whole new family.
Curt retired from the Iowa Department of Corrections. Curt and Monika enjoyed traveling and spent two years in Prescott, Arizona after retirement. Curt loved his animals, Max the Westie, and Snickers the cat. They were two of his favorite pets. Curt also loved going out to new places for an evening meal. Curt was a published author of a fictional book about the ‘end times.’ Curt also appeared in the Wall Street Journal Opinion page, as well as in the opinion page of the Des Moines Register.
Curt is survived by his loving wife Monika, sister-in-law, Anne O’Neil, nieces Venessa and Karlan, brother-in-law Franz (Michaella) Wagner, stepsister Karen. Curt is also survived by his family from his mothers’ side, Sandy, and her daughter Helen, who was named after Curt’s mother, as well as other family and friends.
Those who preceded Curt were his parents, his brother Bruce, his stepfather Bill, and several cousins.
Curt overcame several hurdles in his life. It was by the grace of God that he was able to overcome his physical and life challenges.
You will be missed, good friend.
A visitation is planned for Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 12:00 a.m. at Merle Hay Chapel, 4400 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, IA, with the funeral following at 1:00 p.m.
Memorials may be directed to ARL of Iowa www.arl-iowa.org
