Shari Sue Smith was born July 29, 1957 at Clarke County Hospital in Osceola to Glen and Jeanette (Ennen) Smith.  She was the oldest of eight children.  She grew up on a farm east of Medora.  Childhood memories included gardening and helping with chores including gathering and washing eggs. She helped with dressing chickens and canning and freezing garden vegetables.

Shari attended Southeast Warren Schools and graduated in 1975. She was active in the school newspaper, band, and was salutatorian of her graduating class.  She attended Iowa Methodist School of Nursing, where she graduated in May 1978. She began a 40-year career at Iowa Methodist Medical Center (Unity Point Health).  She was a staff nurse before becoming a supervisor. Shari was well respected among her colleagues and staff as she mentored many nurses and clinical partners who were very dear to Shari.  She received an award in 1999 – Making a Difference.  In 2013, she was selected as one of Iowa's "100 Great Iowa Nurses."  Shari also received her medical surgical nurse certification.  Shari enjoyed her patients and knowing that she made a difference in each of their course of treatment.  Shari retired in January 2019.

Shari carried on her childhood love for gardening, planting a variety of vegetables and making salsa and canning and freezing tomatoes. Shari enjoyed the annual Ennen reunion in August shared with cousins and their families. She attended the World's Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1982.

Shari was a member of the Medora United Methodist Church and had been treasurer for many years. She was also a member of MWEA, Madison Warren Ecumenical Association.  She also enjoyed monthly lunches with her high school classmates.

Shari loved to play cards including pitch.  She enjoyed watching the Iowa Hawkeye women's and men's basketball teams and Iowa Hawkeye Football. She also enjoyed attending her niece Lauren and nephew Landon sporting events at Indianola. Shari had a great joy in 2023 when she flew in a hot air balloon with Landon.

Shari passed on October 3, 2024 at Unity Point Hospital in Des Moines Iowa. Shari was preceded in death by her parents, Glen and Jeanette Smith; her brother Keith at age of five years; brother-in-law, Ken Pfile; her grandparents, John and Katie Ennen and Andy and Effie Smith; and all her aunts and uncles.

Shari is survived by siblings, Wanda Smith (Chris Shafer) of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, Wayne (Carolyn) Smith of Ankeny, Barbara (Jeff) Stagg of West Des Moines,  James (Terese) Smith of Woodbridge, Virginia, Edward Smith of Chariton, and Kristin (Bill) Olson of Indianola; nieces and nephews, Tiffany Smith, Lindsay (Isaiah) Johnson, Jessica (Brett) Wulke, Lisa Stagg, Derek Stagg (Jayme Smart), David (Stephanie) Stagg, Heather Smith, Matthew Smith, Lauren Olson, Landon Olson, Joselyn Muir, Jayden Muir, and Avery Stagg; and close friend, Harold Williams.

Shari thanks all her family, friends and church family during her illness and fight with cancer. She also wants to thank Mission Blood and Cancer for their care including Dr. Behrens, Jennifer Pavilisin, Lisa and Krista, and nurse navigator, Ann and all the oncology treatment nurses.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, October 7, 2024 at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola, with burial following in the Liberty Center Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 1 to 4 p.m., Sunday, October 6, 2024, at Overton Funeral Home.  Memorials may be given in memory of Shari to Mission Cancer and Blood at John Stoddard Cancer Center, Medora United Methodist Church or the Indianola Athletic Booster Club.