Christy-Smith Funeral Homes

09/11/2026

Twenty-five years ago, our nation fell into collective mourning as we watched the towers fall on a sunny Tuesday. Beneath that grief were individual lives and families changed in an instant. Today, we remember the firefighters, police officers, paramedics, office workers, flight crews, and civilians whose lives ended in a public tragedy that still feels personal all these years later. We also thank the deathcare workers whose efforts helped care for the dead and guide families through unbearable days.

09/10/2026

We've served families in Sioux City for many years, and we've learned that funerals look different for every household because each family brings their own stories, traditions, and ways of honoring someone they love. You choose who speaks, what music feels right, and how long people gather, and we'll help you shape something that reflects your family and the person you're remembering.

09/09/2026

Ada M. Johns

Ada (Magnuson) Johns passed away on September 4, 2026, at the age of 99. She was born on July 4, 1927, in Wilton, ND, to Nels and Amy (Erickson) Magnuson. On July 1, 1951, she was happily married to Paul Johns. They lived in Phoenix, AZ, where Paul was stationed during his service in the United States Air Force. Later, they moved to Sioux City, IA, in 1954. They were blessed with three children: Donna Boyer, Randy Johns, and Julie Plueger. Ada dedicated many years working at Zenith Radio Corp in Sioux City, contributing her talents for fourteen years until the plant closed in 1977. She was a member of Washington Heights Chapel and was a devoted Christian. Ada dearly loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, cherishing every moment and visit spent with them.

She is survived by her son, Randy (Rachel) Johns; grandchildren, Amy (Mitch) Davis, Kristin (Chris) Fechner, Michael Boyer, Brian (Cait) Boyer, Tara (Patrick) Smith, Ben (Kari) Johns, and Dan Johns; as well as several great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Ada was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Johns; daughters, Julie Plueger and Donna Boyer; her parents, Nels and Amy Magnuson; her brothers, Carl, Roy, Glenn (Mike), and Gordon; and her sisters, Elna, Mabel, and Ruth.

Funeral service will be held at Washington Heights Chapel (2600 S St Marys St) on September 21, 2026, beginning at 10:00 AM with a burial to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Despite having little, Ada was known for her generosity. In lieu of memorials, kindly consider donating to your local food bank or to organizations that assist United States Veterans as these were causes Ada always supported.

View Ada M. Johns's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

09/08/2026

Ga***rd Keith Lahr

Ga***rd Keith Lahr, 82, passed away on Saturday, September 5, 2026.

Services will be held at a later date. Full obituary pending.

Arrangements are under the direction of Christy-Smith Funeral Homes, Morningside Chapel.

View Ga***rd Keith Lahr's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

09/08/2026

Michael Harry Albright

Michael (Mike) Harry Albright, 78, of Sioux City, Iowa, passed away on September 5, 2026, following a six-month illness.

Michael was born October 19, 1947, in Rockford, Illinois, to William and Beulah (Holden) Albright. He spent his younger years in Rockford and Janesville, Wisconsin, before embarking on a life of service and adventure that would take him around the world.

Michael proudly served his country for 23 years in the United States Navy as a hospital corpsman. His military career included two years of service in Vietnam, as well as assignments in Kansas City, Missouri; Okinawa, Japan; El Toro, California; and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

It was during his time in Okinawa that an unexpected story in the Des Moines Register changed the course of his life. Michael subscribed to the newspaper while stationed overseas, and in 1979 he read a story about Linda (Peters) Stansbury, a Sioux City single mother who had recently lost her job at Zenith due to the plant’s closure. Touched by Linda’s circumstances, Michael sent her $10 along with a letter. That simple act of kindness began a correspondence between two people who had never met. They became pen pals, writing to one another from May through August of that year, and the connection they formed eventually grew into something much more.

Michael and Linda were married on December 18, 1982, in Sioux City. Following his retirement from the Navy, Michael made Sioux City his permanent home with Linda, and the two would spend more than four decades together. In retirement, Michael worked at Nutra Flo and Menards.

Although his Navy career eventually came to an end, Michael never completely lost his love for life at sea. He simply traded Navy ships for cruise ships—and military duty for a considerably more relaxed way of sailing. Michael and Linda became devoted Carnival cruisers, taking 24 cruises together between January 2005 and February 2024, often accompanied by their son and daughter-in-law. Their travels gave them nearly two decades of adventures and memories together and allowed Michael to continue enjoying the sea that had been such a significant part of his life.

Michael is survived by his wife of 43 years, Linda Albright; his stepson, Mike Stansbury and his wife, Dawn; siblings Bonnie Myszka of Tennessee; Janelle Larson and her husband, Bill, of Wisconsin; Beki Cover and her husband Bob of Arkansas; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Beulah Albright; his brother, Bill Albright, Jr.; his sisters, Karen Schwartzlow, Pam Eckhoff, and Debbie Albright; and brother-in-laws Gordy Myscka and Larry Schwartzlow.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the caring staff at the VA in Sioux Falls, Holy Spirit Retirement Home, and the kind and wonderful angels of St. Croix Hospice. Their compassion, comfort, and loving care brought peace and support to Michael and his family during his final days.

From a young man serving his country halfway around the world, to a husband who found the love of his life through a newspaper story and a $10 act of kindness, to a retiree happily setting sail with Linda again and again, Michael’s life was marked by service, generosity, adventure, and the people with whom he shared the journey.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 13, 2026, from 5:00 - 8:00 PM with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM at Redeemer Lutheran Church. Funeral service will be held on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Redeemer Lutheran Church. His final resting place will be Memorial Park Cemetery.

View Michael Harry Albright's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

09/07/2026

Labor Day marks the end of summer, and for a lot of families, it gives us a day away from the daily grind. At the heart of it, this day recognizes people who came home tired from work and woke up ready to do it again.

Dad walked in from a business trip, worn out from airports and meetings, and before anyone asked about his suitcase, he bent down and kissed your forehead. Mom came home from third shift with school lunches already on her mind, wrote your name on a bag, added a little note, and kissed you good morning, exhausted but smiling.

Today, let's celebrate the people whose everyday routines taught us how to work hard and love well.

09/04/2026

"Can children attend the burial?"

This choice is yours, and families approach it differently. Including children can help them understand what’s happening, say goodbye, and feel part of the family, while others decide it’s best to wait until children are older. If children do attend, it helps to prepare them for what they’ll see, keep explanations honest and age-appropriate, and have a trusted adult ready to step away with the child if needed. We’ll talk it through with you and support whatever feels right for your family.

09/03/2026

Oliver T. Lande III

Oliver Theodore "Ted" Lande III, born August 11, 1952, passed away on August 28, 2026, at the age of 74, following an 11-month battle with lung cancer. He fought hard throughout his illness, facing each step with the strength and determination that those who knew him would recognize.

Ted lived a full life centered around family, hard work, and the satisfaction of creating things with his own hands. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Susan, with whom he shared 38 years of marriage, and a loving father to his children, Jason and Gretchen, and stepdaughter Veronica. Later in life, Ted and Susan took on the important role of raising three of their grandchildren, Matthew, Olivia, and Dylan, who became a significant part of their everyday lives and of Ted's legacy.

Ted had the mind and hands of a craftsman. During his working years, he was a draftsman, a profession well suited to his attention to detail and precision. Away from work, that same creativity found its way into woodworking and furniture making. In his later years, his love of creating furniture evolved into turning pens on his lathe. He especially enjoyed working with historical woods and acrylics, creating pieces that were not only functional but often carried a story of their own.

Ted was also a fisherman and loved spending time on the water. For many years, he owned a cabin on Lower South Long Lake outside Brainerd, Minnesota, where cabin life became an important part of his life and many family memories were made. He also looked forward to the family's annual trips to Gull Lake, a treasured tradition and another opportunity to spend time together.

More than anything he built, created, or accomplished, Ted's greatest legacy is the family he leaves behind.

Ted is survived by his wife of 38 years, Susan; son Jason (Cindy); daughter Gretchen (Jeremy); stepdaughter Veronica; grandchildren Cody (Casey), Matthew (Emily), Tyler (Megan), Jarod (Hallie), Olivia, and Dylan; and great-grandchildren Nora and baby boy Gregg.

He is also survived by his sisters, Elayne and Kristine (Rick); and brothers, Stan (Connie), David, and Donald (Chong Hui), along with extended family and friends who will remember Ted and the part he played in their lives.

Ted was preceded in death by his father, Oliver T. Lande Jr.; his mother, Helen Kvidahl Lande; his stepmother, Charlotte Groethe Lande; his stepbrother, Nils Grossman; and his half-sister, DiEtta Rae Winter.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at Christy-Smith Funeral Homes, Morningside Chapel, in Sioux City, Iowa, with the funeral service beginning at 10:00 a.m. Pastor Neil Peck will officiate. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Sioux City.

A family run Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Christ's Community Moravian Church, 13250 93rd Avenue North, Maple Grove, Minnesota. Pastor Jonathan Lee will officiate. The funeral home is not involved with the Celebration of Life.

View Oliver T. Lande III's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

09/02/2026

JoAnne F. Parks

JoAnne F. Parks, 91, of Moville, passed away on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (419 Jones St, Moville, IA) with a Prayer Service at 6:30 PM. Funeral will be held on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 10:30 AM at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Moville with a light lunch at the church following the burial. Her final resting place will be Arlington Township Cemetery in Moville.

JoAnne was born on June 9, 1935, in Crescent, Iowa, to John and Cecilia (Jensen) Butler. She graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

On June 16, 1956, JoAnne was united in marriage to Jerry E. Parks in Council Bluffs. From this union, five children were born. The family made their home in Moville, Iowa. JoAnne and Jerry were married 64 years before his passing on June 13, 2021.

JoAnne was a woman with many talents. Her career accomplishments included being a secretary at WOW Radio Station, working for a lawyer in Moville, a receptionist for Moville dentist Dr. Clark, and being a teaching assistant who focused on educating disabled children.

JoAnne was active in her community as she was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Moville, the Women’s Guild, and Meadows Country Club golf course.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Mike Parks (Lynn Miller) of Moville, Kathy (Terry) Pierce of Moville, Karen Parks (Bill Grady) of Casselberry, Florida, and John (Pam) Parks of Moville; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Cecilia; husband, Jerry; sister, Catherine; brother, Eldon; and infant son, Mark.

View JoAnne F. Parks's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

09/01/2026

Mary Eileen Bruce

Mary Eileen Bruce, 87, of Moville, passed away on Saturday, August 29, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones.

Mary was born on August 17, 1939, in Neodesha, Kansas, to William and Minnie Grace (Erbe) Rhoades.

Mary was an active member of the United Methodist Women and loved volunteering at the food pantry as everyone’s favorite “bread lady.” She was a librarian for many years.

Mary leaves behind her husband of 56 years, Gary; daughter, Laura Harrison (Keane Fischer) of Cherokee; grandsons, Bruce Ketelsen (Maddie) of Moville, Jacob Harrison of Henderson, Nebraska, and Scott Geary (Olivia) adopted of Moville. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Minnie; 2 brothers, Ed Rhoades and John Rhoades; and 1 sister, Grace Marchant.

She was truly our sunflower and will be deeply missed.

Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Moville United Methodist Church (450 S 1st St, Moville, IA) with Visitation taking place one hour prior. Burial will be held at Arlington Township Cemetery on a later date.

View Mary Eileen Bruce's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.