Kaye Smothers

Kaye Smothers, 81, of Newton, passed away on November 10, 2025, at MercyOne in Des Moines. Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 16, from 2–4 p.m. at Wallace Family Funeral Home in Newton. Funeral services will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 17, also at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Union Cemetery in Newton, with a luncheon afterward at the funeral home. Memorials in Kaye’s name can be left at the funeral home. Please make checks payable to Charity Brunsmann.

Kaye was born on November 15, 1943, in Oceanside, California, to Wilbert and Helen (Rail) Ingalls. She graduated from Fairfield High School in 1961. She was united in a loving marriage with Fred Euegene Smothers on November 27, 1971, in Mitchellville, IA. They built their forever home in 1978 on the north side of Newton. Kaye was a loving stay at home mom to her daughters while also being the secretary and “boss” to her husband’s company Smothers Electric. In 1992, Kaye made the career change to work for Newton Parks and Recreation where her love of birds and plants blossomed. Kaye retired from The Parks after 21 years in 2013. While Kaye was retired, she spent most of her time watching birds outside of her sun room. She also made it a priority to be involved in her grandchildren/great grandchildren’s lives by attending any sporting events, choir concerts and dance recitals. Many days you could find Kaye in her kitchen cooking or crafting; she loved to go next door and visit with all of the little ones and get hugs and kisses. Kaye will be greatly missed by so many people; we hope her love and light will continue to shine through all those left to honor her legacy.

Those left to honor her memory include her daughters: Holly Eilander of Newton, Shannon Pfeiff of Middletown, Charity (Marty) Brunsmann of Newton, and Debra Smothers of Newton; 10 grandchildren: Katie (Myles) Barth, Garrett (Paige) Eilander, Tucker Brunsmann, Britton (Dana) Wilson, Teddie (Tjaden) Meester, Tess (Anthony) Bestell, Luxie Brunsmann, Spencer Pfeiff, Parker Pfeiff, and River Pfeiff; and 11 great-grandchildren: Ramsey and Ryder Kolpin, Zella and Zyles Barth, Elannah and Lena Eilander, Donavan and Josephine Pfeiff, Landon and Logan Wilson, and Hattie B. Meester.

She is also survived by her sisters: Kim (Dave) Reese, Billie (Gene) Deck, and Ruby Fasbinder, Brother Wesley Ingalls, along with many nieces and nephews.

Kaye was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Eugene Smothers; her parents, Wilbert and Helen Ingalls; her sister, Janet Ferch; and her brothers-in-law Jim, Raymond, Jack, Bud, Tom and Dale.

Kaye will be remembered with love and gratitude by all who knew her.