Walter "Walt" Smith

Walter “Walt” Smith, 86, of Tucson, AZ and Marshalltown, IA, passed away Saturday, March 6, 2021 at Northwest Medical Center in Tucson.  His niece Etta Rhynard and her husband Steve were at his side.  Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 19 at 11:00 A.M. at Mitchell Family Funeral Home, with a visitation taking place one hour prior.  Burial will occur at Rose Hill Memorial Garden immediately following the service.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in Walt’s name to your favorite cause or charity. For additional questions or to leave a condolence, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call at 641-844-1234. Born Walter Henry Smith on January 10, 1935 in Alden, Iowa, he is the son of Leo and Dorothy (Yohn) Smith. Walt grew up in the Alden area and attended school there. After meeting the love of his life, Joan Davenport, they were united in marriage on August 12, 1967 at Grace United Methodist Church in Marshalltown. A hard worker, Walt went spent several years in construction, first with Weaver Construction for 12 years and then Stevenson Construction. After a time at Emerson - Fisher Controls, Walt and Joan purchased Iowa Step and Tank, a precast concrete company, which Walt ran for 21 years before retiring in 2005.  In their free time, Walt and Joan loved to travel in their motorhome. Family was important to him and he enjoyed gathering together. Left to cherish his memory is his son, Austin Barnwell of Topeka, Kansas; grandsons Justin and Jeremy Barnwell; his sister, Carol Palmateer of Alden, Iowa and several nieces and nephews. Walt is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joan; his parents, Leo and Dorothy; and his sisters: Gladys Buerckley and Ruth Larsen.