Christy-Smith Funeral Homes

02/25/2026

Families come to us with different needs, and we help you plan a funeral that fits your budget, your beliefs, and your timing because every situation asks for something a little different. You might want a traditional service with familiar rituals, something special like his antique car parked out front, or you might need something simple that can come together quickly. We'll walk you through your choices so you can decide what feels right for your family.

02/25/2026

JoAnn Johnson

JoAnn Johnson, age 94, passed away peacefully on February 22, 2026. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3, at Christy-Smith Funeral Home in Sioux City, IA. Burial will follow at Logan Park Cemetery. It is respectfully requested that in lieu of any flowers, memorials may be made in care of the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. Online condolences may be made by viewing JoAnn’s memorial page at www.bridgmanfuneralhome.com. Bridgman Family Funeral Home in Scottsbluff, NE is entrusted with arrangements.JoAnn was born on November 22, 1931, to Hurley and Rose (Fisher) Fouts in Sioux City. She attended school in Sioux City and spent much of her childhood with her grandparents, Frank and Rose Fisher, at Sunset Nursery and Fisher Florist. JoAnn graduated mid-year from Central High School in 1950.She attended Briar Cliff College and later transferred to Morningside College, where she met the love of her life, Harry Johnson. JoAnn and Harry were married on October 26, 1952, beginning a beautiful partnership that lasted 71 years. During the first four years of their marriage, they lived at several Air Force bases in Texas, Kansas, and Florida while Harry served in the United States Air Force.After his discharge, they settled on a farm near Grand Meadows, Iowa. During their years on the farm, JoAnn was the heart of the home--busy with gardening, church activities, and raising their three children. She truly embodied the spirit of a devoted farm wife. The coffee pot was always on, and there was always a delicious homemade treat ready to share. JoAnn was especially known for her wonderful cooking and baking, including her famous brownies, chocolate chip bars, apple pie and homemade angel food cake. Family and friends also fondly remember her taverns served with fresh corn on the cob from the farm.After retiring from farm life, JoAnn and Harry moved to Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, where they lived for 14 years. In 2022, they relocated to Scottsbluff, Nebraska. In their retirement years, JoAnn and Harry enjoyed traveling across the United States and attending as many Air Force reunions as possible. Their adventures always began with a giant atlas and countless maps, carefully planned and full of excitement. They loved seeing new places, meeting new people, and reconnecting with dear friends.JoAnn also created many treasured family traditions that continue today. Her Swedish Christmas celebrations—complete with meatballs, brown beans, lutefisk, and more—brought generations together and created lasting memories for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.Our “Pomma” will be deeply missed by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all who knew and loved her.JoAnn is survived by her children Bill (Jill) Johnson of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; Fred (Tammy) Johnson of Waverly, Iowa; and Cindy (Jim) Wurr of Ankeny, Iowa; her beloved granddaughters Amy (Matt) Symes of Las Vegas, Nevada; Melissa Johnson of Ankeny, Iowa; Jessica (Dave) Allen of Runnels, Iowa; Christina Johnson of Chicago, Illinois; and Breanna (Ben) Stainbrook of Waterloo, Iowa; her great-grandchildren: Kyler and Camden Johnson; Lucy and Annie Symes; Re*****on and Reagan Allen; and Sebastian and Charlotte Stainbrook.She was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Harry Johnson; her parents, Hurley and Rose Fouts; and her brother John “Jack” Fouts.JoAnn’s legacy of love, hospitality and family traditions will live on in all who had the joy of knowing her.

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View JoAnn Johnson's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/24/2026

Robert W. Erb

Robert W. Erb, 78, passed away on Saturday, February 21, 2026.

There is no funeral service planned at this time. Burial will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Full obituary pending.

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

View Robert W. Erb's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/23/2026

Mary Louise Godfrey

Mary Louise Godfrey, 93, passed away on Monday, February 23, 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 Mary Louise Godfrey's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/22/2026

There’s something about a front porch. It holds a lifetime of conversations: everyday chats, late-night laughs, quiet moments just spent being together.

When someone we love dies, their seat might be empty, but the stories stay every time you share them with loved ones. We keep them alive in the retelling, in the remembering, and in the way we say their name like they never really left.

What are the porch stories you find yourself sharing again and again?

02/21/2026

Carolyn Kaye Stultz-Kempema

Carolyn Kaye Stultz-Kempema, born September 23, 1947, passed away peacefully at home on February 20, 2026, at the age of 78, surrounded by her loving daughters, Shelley and Christine, and her husband, Jerry. Carolyn was an amazing sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, whose warmth and kindness touched everyone she met.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Christy-Smith Funeral Homes, Morningside Chapel (1801 Morningside Avenue) with a Visitation taking place one hour prior.

A lifelong resident of Sioux City, Iowa, Carolyn graduated from Westfield, sharing her high school years with her sister among her classmates. She married Kenneth Stultz, and together they built a life and a business, running Stultz Plumbing and Heating for over 50 years during their 54 years of marriage.

After Kenneth’s passing, Carolyn found love again and married Gerald (Jerry) Kempema. With Jerry, she explored new horizons, traveling to places like Australia and Alaska, and cherished summers camping with her sisters and brothers-in-law.

She is survived by her daughters, Shelley Bushar (Lance) of Harrisburg, SD, and Christine Hunter (James) of Council Bluff, IA; her husband, Gerald Kempema; grandchildren, Elizabeth Jones (Jarod), Jessica Bushar-Mehlhalf (Alex), LeAnn Bushar, Lindsey Hunter, Ian Hunter, and Abigail Rysavy (Luke). She is also survived by her sisters, Mary Jane Johns, Kathy Brunsting (Dennis); sisters-in-law, Mary Ellen Carlson and Joanne Carlson; sisters, Sandy Welch (Leo), Cheri Sanders (Dennis), and Laurie Blanchard (Mike); and special aunt, Phyllis Hanson; along with seven great grandchildren.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her first husband, Kenneth Stultz; her parents, Doug and LaVerne Carlson; her brothers, Douglas, Dick, and Dan Carlson; her sister, Jeanne Carlson; and brother-in-law, Kenneth Johns.

Carolyn’s legacy of love, generosity, and creativity will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

View Carolyn K. Stultz-Kempema's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/21/2026

Jo Ellen (Knerl) Treinen

Jo Ellen (Knerl) Treinen, 87, of Sioux City, passed away on February 18, 2026, surrounded by her children at Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 28, at 10:30 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Sioux City. A luncheon will follow at Trinity Heights Queen of Peace Shrine, Sioux City, followed by a burial service at Calvary (South Creek) Cemetery, Ponca NE. Visitation will be held Friday, February 27, at Christy Smith Funeral Home, Larkin Chapel, Sioux City, beginning at 5:00 p.m., with Rosary and Prayer Service beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Jo Ellen Knerl was born January 26, 1939, at St. Vincent Hospital, Sioux City, the daughter of Orin and Bonnie (Davey) Knerl of Ponca NE. Jo Ellen grew up in Ponca. She graduated high school from Mount Marty Academy, Yankton SD, and earned her education degree from Briar Cliff College in Sioux City.

Jo Ellen married William (Bill) Treinen on July 9, 1960, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Ponca NE. Their marriage was blessed with seven children. Jo Ellen worked briefly as a school teacher following graduation from Briar Cliff, but soon thereafter became a homemaker.

Jo Ellen and Bill began married life in Le Mars IA. Through their marriage, Bill’s employment brought Jo Ellen to Storm Lake IA, to Canton SD, to Yankton SD, and ultimately, in 1988, to Sioux City. Throughout, Jo Ellen’s Catholic Christian faith guided her life, her relationships, her advocacy, and her involvements. In each of these communities, Jo Ellen volunteered for church parish projects and initiatives, involved herself in prayer groups and Bible study, supported the pro-life movement, and encouraged and prayed for vocations to the Catholic priesthood and religious life. Jo Ellen was a longtime volunteer counselor with Birthright of Siouxland and Birthright in Yankton, helped to lead Marriage Encounter weekends, and supported seminarians and other Catholic vocations through active membership in the Serra Club of Siouxland since its founding in 1996.

Jo Ellen enjoyed travel, concerts and theatre, and even the occasional crafting hobby, but she really prioritized kids. She steadfastly supported her children’s school and adult activities and livelihoods. It was a rarity that Jo Ellen missed one of her kids’ ballgames, track meets, choir concerts, theatre productions, piano recitals, or other activities. And she maintained this commitment with her grandchildren, often traveling hundreds of miles to wrap herself in a blanket for a windy junior high football game, attend a high school musical, or squeeze into a crowded gym for a grade school basketball tournament, even into her last year of life. Jo Ellen’s faith, her children, and her grandchildren were the focus of her efforts in all that she did, and near the end of her life, nothing brought her more joy than when a new great-grandbaby was brought in to visit her.

Jo Ellen is survived by her seven children: Amy (Kevin) Ely of Seattle WA; Paul (Julie) Treinen of Ortonville MN; Betsy Treinen of St. Paul MN; Katy (Nick) Karrer of Sioux City; Daniel (Stacie) Treinen of Minneapolis MN; Michael (Lola) Treinen of Waterloo IA; and Matthew (Jennifer) Treinen of St. Paul MN. Also mourning Jo Ellen’s passing, but cheering her into Heaven, are sixteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. In addition, Jo Ellen is survived by two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Langel of Le Mars IA, and Charlotte (Terry) Townsend of Newton IA. Jo Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Treinen; her parents, Orin and Bonnie Knerl; her brothers and sisters-in-law Jack and Betty Knerl, Jerry and Margaret Knerl, Bob and Norma Knerl, and Phil and Pat Knerl; and her sister and brother-in-law Mary Ann and Tom Wente.

The family thanks Holy Spirit Retirement Home and Hospice of the Midwest for their committed care of Jo Ellen in her final months.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jo Ellen’s name may be directed to The Abbey of the Hills (46561 147th Street, Marvin SD 57251) or to Trinity Heights (P.O. Box 1707, Sioux City IA 51102-1707).

View Jo Ellen L (Knerl) Treinen's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/19/2026

Children at funerals often need ways to express emotions they cannot yet put into words. Art gives them a meaningful outlet during such an emotional day. You can set up a simple table with paper and crayons where kids can draw pictures or write messages for their loved one. These creations often become the most treasured keepsakes families hold onto or display during the service.

02/16/2026

Christine Ellen Knudson

Christine Ellen Knudson passed away after a short illness in Sioux City, Iowa, on February 14, 2026.

Christine was born on May 6, 1952, in Marlborough, Massachusetts, the youngest child of Arthur and Gertrude (Simoneau) Scott.

She graduated from Hudson Catholic High School in Hudson, Massachusetts, and shortly thereafter began working at Stop & Shop, where she met the love of her life, Kent Knudson. Christine and Kent were married in 1975 at the Martha-Mary Chapel, with their reception held next door at the historic Wayside Inn in Sudbury, Massachusetts.

After a brief time living in Massachusetts, Christine and Kent moved west, eventually settling in Sioux City, Iowa. They shared many happy years together until Kent’s passing in June of 2021.

Christine was passionately involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Iowa and devoted many years to volunteering her time to help children and families. Although she had no children of her own, Christine loved her Scottish Terrier dogs as her children. She and Kent enjoyed traveling extensively in their motorhome so they could bring their beloved Scotties along on their adventures.

Chris was a gifted gourmet cook who loved entertaining family and friends. She took great joy in welcoming others into her home and making them feel cared for and special. Chris was also a talented quilter, creating beautiful, hand-stitched quilts, each one lovingly made and a true reflection of her warmth, patience, and creativity.

Christine will be deeply missed by her family and friends, and especially by her dear friends Patti Sulzbach, Lynn McAllister, and Mary Shuey, who lovingly supported her during her final months. Her family is eternally grateful for their compassion and care.

She is survived by her sisters, Jean Ajemian and her husband Stephen of Royersford, Pennsylvania, and Sandra Kulaga of Charlton, Massachusetts; her brother, Paul Scott and his wife Denise of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina; her stepdaughter, Karrie Greenawalt and her husband David of Texas; and many cherished nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on May 6, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Christy-Smith Funeral Home (1801 Morningside Ave) in Sioux City, Iowa with a Visitation taking place one hour prior.

View Christine Ellen Knudson's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/14/2026

💕 Valentine's Day gets a lot of attention for the romantic stuff, but love shows up in all kinds of ways. Maybe it's the friend who checks on you every week, or the neighbor who shoveled your driveway last month without being asked.

💕 Today is a good day to notice the people who keep choosing you. We hope your Valentine's Day is full of love worth celebrating. And if today is a hard one for you, we're thinking of you too.

02/13/2026

Elsie Marie Crosgrove

Elsie M. Crosgrove, 84, of Sioux City, passed away Thursday, February 12, 2026, in Sioux City.

A funeral service will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, February 20, 2026, at Christy-Smith Funeral Homes, Morningside Chapel, 1801 Morningside Ave., with visitation one hour prior. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery following the service.

Elsie Marie Angerman, the daughter of John and Violet (Cooper) Angerman was born March 31, 1941, in Sioux City. She received her education at Immaculate Conception Catholic School. On January 6, 1962, Elsie was united in marriage with Gary Crosgrove in Sioux City. She was a homemaker. Gary passed away June 13, 2021.

Elsie enjoyed games in general but was especially fond of Bingo. She also liked puzzles, auctions, and collecting owl figurines. Elsie loved to camp and fish with her family. It was important to her to be a housewife, mom, and grandma.

Elsie is survived by her children, Eldon (Mary) Crosgrove of Sioux City, Larry (Wayne) Crosgrove of Texas, Lisa (Les) Rolfes of Sioux City, Alex (Ann) Crosgrove of Le Mars; grandchildren, Scott, Wendi, Gage, Dane, Stormii, Erica; great grandchildren, Payton, Takoda, Chloe, Preston, Abby, Evie, Esperanza, and Eli; sister, Delores Franken of Sioux City; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a sister, Jeanie; a brother, Ronald “Sunny”; mother and father-in-law, Ralph and Darlene Crosgrove; and numerous other in-laws.

View Elsie Marie Crosgrove's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/13/2026

Have you considered how you want people to remember you after the funeral ends?

Some people picture a traditional headstone with their name and dates, others want their cremated remains lawfully scattered in a place they loved, and some prefer a memorial bench or a tree planted in their honor. You can request donations to a cause instead of flowers, or you can ask for both. The physical marker of your life matters to the people who loved you.

Your family will visit that place or carry out that wish for years after you're gone. Telling them what feels right to you gives them a clear way to honor your memory instead of wondering if they chose correctly. Even a small preference helps them feel connected to you. And we’ll be there every step of the way to support them.

Where do you want them to find you?