Carolyn K. Smith

Carolyn K. Smith was born December 2, 1927 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska to German (Volga Germans from Russia) immigrants; George and Mary K. Lackmann. The 8th child of 10, she learned to speak English in a one room schoolhouse and from her older siblings, as her parents worked hard to also learn the language. They lived on a farm raising crops, cows, chickens etc. When Carolyn was 7 years old the family moved to Hardin, Montana where they rented a farm on an Indian reservation. Carolyn recalls riding in the car with her father to meet Chief Yellowtail to pay the rent. When Carolyn was 13 they moved one more time to a farm in Moorhead, Minnesota. She graduated high school in 1947 attending high school on the Moorhead State Teachers College campus. Her family had natural musical talent. Carolyn played the piano and accordion by ear and sang tenor/alto. Her brothers also played piano, guitar, violin, and they would often have living room jam sessions. She loved to dance and roller skate. She was always known for her great sense of humor. She had many lifelong girlfriends and was always the “life of the party”. In 1952 her brother Chuck serving in the army at Fort Riley Kansas, invited his army buddy Donald Smith to join him on a weekend pass to the Lackmann family home. A romance began. Carolyn later moved to Kansas City and worked in a laundromat/dry cleaner, sewing military patches on Service men’s shirts and jackets. Carolyn and Don were married in June of 1954 and made their home in Overland Park, Kansas. Family summers were spent in Minnesota with her large family and friends. Carolyn and Don were married for 68 years. Carolyn‘s top priority in life was to be a mother. She and Don had four daughters and together poured themselves wholeheartedly into providing a home rooted in their Christian faith and values. Carolyn devoted her full-time life to making a comfortable home and raising 4 girls. She was a fantastic cook, and all were welcome at the table. She also was quite the seamstress, making clothes for herself and her daughters, including multiple choir dresses! She loved all children and would take in extra kids at home to babysit. She worked at a daycare/preschool several years later in life and really loved the opportunity to be around the children every day. She would host birthday parties in her kitchen for neighborhood kids, always remembering their individual birthdays. She would make cupcakes and let them apply the frosting. A strong but fair disciplinarian, she was loved and respected by not only her own children, but All children who knew her. Carolyn was mentally strong, kind and nurturing, easy-going and generous. She had a great sense of humor and always made people laugh. She loved to celebrate, laugh and have fun. She had a very long happy life and will be missed by all who knew her. Carolyn was proceeded in death by her loving husband Don Smith, her parents and siblings. She is survived by their 4 daughters and many nieces and nephews who loved their “Auntie Carolyn”. A Celebration of Life will be held December 2, 2025 at 11:00am. Church of the Resurrection, Wesley Covenant Chapel 13720 Roe Ave. Leawood, KS 66224

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Carolyn K. Smith

December 2, 1927 - November 9, 2025