Janice "Jan" Hyink Smith, the daughter of Walter and Esther (Hoekstra) Hyink was born March 18, 1934 in Hospers, Iowa. She passed away suddenly on Sunday, January 6, 2019 at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital, Red Oak, Iowa at the age of 84 years, 9 months and 16 days.

Jan lived in Hospers, Iowa and Michigan before moving to Villisca, Iowa during her junior high school years. She graduated from Villisca High School in l952 and continued her education at Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, Missouri. Jan earned a degree in Elementary Education and began her teaching career in California for a year. She moved to Hawaii and worked on the military base at Pearl Harbor, enjoying a tremendous passion for the island culture. Jan moved to Villisca, Iowa in 1962, and in 1964, became a teacher at Wales-Lincoln Schools. When Wales consolidated with Red Oak, she then taught second graders at Washington and Webster schools for the next 29 years. Jan never felt her teaching was a job, it was her mission to help children learn. Jan was always willing to help other teachers and assist where needed. After her retirement, she moved to her parent's home in Villisca and returned to Red Oak in 2012. Jan was a member of the Villisca United Methodist Church, Delta Kappa Gamma, National Teachers Association, Retired Teachers and Iowa Ladies Auxiliary. Throughout her life, Jan shared her great love for animals by fostering only shelter or abandoned cats and dogs. Jan enjoyed creative writing, reading, sewing, arts & crafts and home design. She was kind and selfless, as evident, her being chosen to help volunteer with the American Red Cross during hurricane Katrina.

Jan was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Ret. Lt. Col. U.S. Army, James L. Hyink.

Jan is survived by her daughter, Terri Smith-Caron of Red Oak, Iowa; two loving grandchildren: Ky Caron and Maiah Caron; and sister-in-law, Joyce Hyink of Albuquerque, NM; 3 nieces, other relatives and friends.

May God bless her memory and give strength to those who mourn.

Celebration of Life Service will be held
Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.
At the Villisca Presbyterian Church, Villisca, IA
Inurnment at the Villisca Cemetery, Villisca, IA
Rev. Sandy Wainwright, Officiating

Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.