SUSAN GIPPIN'S MOTHER PASSES AWAY

 

Former BJ political reporter Susan Smith Gippin’s mother, Phyllis Smith, passed away September 23 in Altoona, Iowa.

Susan posted:

Some of you may already know, my mother, Phyllis J. Smith passed away in her sleep Sept. 23 at her retirement home in Altoona, Iowa. While not unexpected, it was still a shock. Our family and friends share many fond memories of her.

 

Susan’s father, Carmi Gippin, predeceased her mother.

Susan studied creative writing at Cleveland State University, journalism and public affairs at American University and at Iowa State University after her graduation from high school. She grew up in Des Moines, Iowa. Susan lives in Akron with husband Bob Gippin.

Her mother’s obituary:

Phyllis J. Smith, 95, passed away peacefully of natural causes on September 23, 2022 at her care center at Prairie Vista Village in Altoona, Iowa. Phyllis Jean Montgomery was born September 5, 1927 in Grinnell, Iowa to Hugh and Ada Montgomery and raised on a farm near Brooklyn, Iowa. She graduated from Brooklyn High School in 1944 after which she attended American Institute of Business (AIB) in Des Moines.

In 1947 she met and married her lifelong partner Carmi J. Smith. They lived in Des Moines, where they raised two daughters near Grandview Park, and Altoona before his death in 2017. Phyllis worked with Carmi in the photography and printing business with Phyllis serving as bookkeeper. Phyllis also served as financial records keeper for various social clubs she joined. Phyllis had many interests including quilting, reading, genealogy, playing bridge, bowling, golf, computer solitaire, car rallies, watching TV sports and was a devoted Iowa State Cyclone fan, alma mater of her daughters. She was a life-long member of the Order of Eastern Star. She loved music and had a lovely alto singing voice.

She often volunteered for Girl Scout and Campfire Girl outings with her daughters and East High School Band Boosters. She was regarded as a loyal and supportive friend to the families who raised their children at E. 31st St. Ct. on Des Moines’s eastside. The neighborhood women maintained a monthly coffee klatch long after their children left home to attend college or work. She was a member of Union Park United Methodist Church.

She loved to travel, organizing annual two-week camping vacations that took the family to the US Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, Washington, D.C. and Canada. She traveled twice to Europe with Carmi.

Phyllis is survived by her daughters Katlin Smith (Gary Kokstis) of Vancouver, WA and Susan Smith Gippin (Robert Gippin) of Akron, Ohio and granddaughter Alanna Gippin (Andrew Dahl) of Lynnwood, WA. She is also survived by five step-grandchildren and six step great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 69 years, Carmi; her parents and infant sister, Frances; and numerous cousins, aunts and uncles.

Memorial donations may be made in Phyllis’s name to Food Bank of Iowa. foodbankiowa.org/donate The family wishes to express deep gratitude to Prairie Vista Village and Suncrest Home Health and Hospice for their loving care of Phyllis. There are no services planned at this time. A memorial service will be scheduled for a later date. Phyllis’s cremated remains will be laid to rest next to Carmi at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery near Van Meter. Online condolences may be expressed at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com.