Mary Ann Smith

Mary Ann Jacobsen Smith, 49, of Apache Junction, Arizona and formerly of Oelwein, Iowa, died on Friday morning, April 17, 2009 at the Hospice of the Valley in Mesa, Arizona following a courageous three year battle with colon cancer.

Funeral Service: 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at Zion Lutheran Church, Oelwein, with Rev. Charis Combs-Lay officiating; Visitation: 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Friday at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Oelwein and for one hour before services at the church on Saturday; Interment: Woodlawn Cemetery, Oelwein, Iowa.

Memorials may be given in her name to the American Cancer Society

Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com

Mary Ann Jacobsen was born July 4, 1959, in Oelwein, Iowa the daughter of Arthur and Margaret (Hall) Jacobsen. Mary graduated from Oelwein High School with the Class of 1977 and Hawkeye Community College in 1987. She married Richard Allen Smith on July 18, 1992 at Zion Lutheran Church, Oelwein. She enjoyed shopping, reading, kick boxing, traveling with her husband, spending time with family and friends, her animals and was an avid NASCAR Racing Fan (#24 Jeff Gordon ). Her favorite teams were the Minnesota Vikings and the Iowa Hawkeyes and her favorite singing group was K.C. & the Sunshine Band. Some of her favorite charities included, The American Cancer Society and The Humane Society. She also was part of an on line support group for colon cancer, where she played an active roll in offering her experience and giving support. She was always ready to offer counsel for the illness and was an inspiration to those lives she touched. She would like to encourage every one to get screened for colon cancer even though you are under 50 like they say.

She is survived by her loving husband of 16 years, Richard Smith of Apache Junction, Ariz.; her mother, Margaret Jacobsen of Independence, Iowa; two brothers, Arthur (Dawn) Jacobsen, Jr., Independence, Iowa, Donald (Roxie) Jacobsen of Oelwein, Iowa; Her special pets, Noel and Miles; a special niece, Lori Smith of Independence, Iowa, nieces, Melisa Jacobsen of Winthrop, Iowa, Jennifer (Byron) Smock of LaPorte City, Iowa; and four nephews, Kenny Jacobsen of Independence, Iowa, Jim Jacobsen of St. Louis, Mo., Jeremy Jacobsen of Marseilles, Ill., and Daniel Jacobsen of Plainfield, Ill. She is also survived by two aunts, Carrol Strubel of Elk Run Heights, Iowa, Velma Hall of Harpers Ferry, Iowa; two uncles, Louie Strubel of Elk Run Heights, Iowa, Howard Frye of Davenport, Iowa; her special friends, Rick and Julie Trebon of Wadena, and many cousins and friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her father, Arthur Jacobsen, Sr. in December, 1984; her grandparents, Peter and Anna Jacobsen and Floyd and Irene Hall and several aunts and uncles.

She was loved by all who knew her with her winning smile and her fun personality. She was always thinking of others and putting their needs first. She will be truly missed by all.