Carol Smith

Carol Lee Smith (Janssen), 76, of Dixon, IL entered heaven on Monday, December 5th peacefully, with her family by her side, in Franklin Grove. She was born on March 11th, 1946, the daughter of Helen Ruth Aby and Ernest Struble in Kewanee, IL. She graduated from Kewanee High School in 1964 with majors in homemaking, social studies and English. She played the saxophone and was a member of FHA (Future Homemakers of America) and GAA (Girls Athletic Association). She enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1964 as a telecommunication operator and was stationed in San Diego, CA. She finished her service to the country in 1966. She married Russell Janssen of Oregon, IL in 1968. They had 5 beautiful children together. She lived her best life helping Russ with the pulling tractors in the 70's and 80's. She would always run down the track to meet him at the finish line. She married Raymond Smith of Dixon, IL in 1999, where they resided together for many years. Carol had many passions in her life and enjoyed many things. She loved to cook and gave all she had to help many. She loved making and decorating cakes, canning each fall, sewing, gardening, shopping, riding motorcycles, and most of all being with her children and grandchildren. She was a loving, strong, warrior of life. She will be deeply missed. She is survived by her children, Sean (Kim) Janssen of Patriot, IN, Angela Janssen of Rochelle, IL, Dawn Janssen of Ottawa, IL, Dana (Ron) Simpson of Polo, IL, and Kristine Janssen Johnson of Stillman Valley, IL; her sisters, Mary Specht of Hot Springs, SD and Ruth Ann (Leroy) Spangler of Pringle, SD; her grandchildren, Mike (Jessica) Janssen of Franklin Grove, IL, Courtney Janssen of West Palm Beach, FL, Devin Soto of Boulder, CO, Victoria Simms of Rochelle, IL, Jordan Janssen of Rock Falls, IL, Hannah Krahn of Milledgeville, IL, Kaitlyn Janssen of Milledgeville, IL, Jakob (Kallee) Simpson of Hill Air Force Base Layton, UT, Allyson Simpson of Layton, UT and Dylan Johnson of Stillman Valley,IL; and her great-grandchildren, Landon, Kilian and Olivia (Mike and Jessica), Augustina (Courtney), Levi (Jordan) and Tucker (Jakob and Kallee). She was preceded in death by her parents, sister and brothers. Military services & celebration of life will be held on Saturday, December 17th, 2022 at the VFW in Dixon, IL at 12:30pm. Memorial and Luncheon will follow at the VFW from 1 to 4pm. All family and friends are encouraged to join. Donations can be sent to Serenity Hospice Oregon, IL. Franklin Grove Nursing Home or the VFW Dixon, IL, in memory of Carol L. Smith. Flowers can be sent to the VFW Dixon, IL on the 16th or 17th of December, 1560 IL Route 38 Dixon, IL 61021.