Charlouise "Chuckie" "Louise" (Bucknell) Smith, age 99, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Wellington Place in Decorah, Iowa.

A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E. Water Street, Decorah, Iowa, with pastor Kim Smith presiding. Burial to follow at the Lutheran Cemetery.

Celebration of life will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the Elks, 105 River St, Decorah, IA 52101.

Chuckie (aka. Louise) was born and raised in Decorah. She was baptized at Decorah Lutheran Church and later became a member of Washington Prairie Lutheran Church. Louise lived on the Flat until her dad took over Bucknell Barber Shop and they moved downtown above the Shop.

She graduated from Decorah High School in 1946 and went on to Cosmetology School in Des Moines. After graduation from Cosmetology School, Louise returned to Decorah to work in a local beauty salon.

Labor Day weekend in 1951, Louise was out with friends in Des Moines when she met the love of her life, Leonard Smith of Missouri. They were married three months later, November 18, 1951, at Decorah Lutheran Church. The couple moved to Kansas and then to Missouri. While living in Missouri, their daughter Amy was born. Shortly after, the family moved to Cresco. In 1960, the family moved to southern California where her sister Darlene and family lived. Louise was a devoted wife and mother; Leonard said her only job was to be happy. In February of 1965 Louise’s life was drastically changed when her husband was killed in an auto accident.

The summer os 1971 her father had severe health issues, prompting Louise and Amy to move to Decorah to help take care of him.

Louise worked at the Decorah Public Library for many years, she so enjoyed being around people. She finally decided it was time to retire and take it easy at age 62. Her retirement didn’t last very long, she missed having a purpose and seeing people so she took a job as a People Greeter at Walmart in Centrum Plaza. When the new Supercenter was built Louise made the move to the new store. She really enjoyed this job and would dress up as the Easter Bunny, Mrs. Claus and multiple costumes for Halloween. Through her job at Walmart, she developed some very close friendships. Louise truly enjoyed her “Walmart friends and Family”. So many people knew her and they would always ask Amy about her mom.

At 93 she was still living on her own and was out and about most every day. Then in November of 2020 she broke her hip and her life was forever changed. She lived with Steve and Amy for 2 years but got sick in September of 2022 and was too weak for Amy to give her the care she needed. Louise spent the balance of her life at Welington Place.

You don’t get to be 99 years old unless you are tough, stubborn and very independent. Louise lived through the effects of the Great Depression, World War II and survived the Sylmar Earthquake. She witnessed the Korean War, Vietnam War and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. But it wasn’t all turmoil during her lifetime, Louise also got to benefit from many inventions and innovations. Just think of all the advancements and innovations she experienced in her nearly 100 years.

Louise will be forever remembered, loved and missed by many.

Survived by: Daughter & Son-in-law: Amy & Steve Knox. Grandchildren: Carrie & Brady Waldron, great-grandchildren: Willow Waldron & River Waldron, Travis Knox, great-grandchildren: Bliss & Lucey Knox, Troy & Ashley Knox, great-grandchildren: Jayden (Gio), Parker & Logan. Niece: Carol & husband Rick English. Bonus granddaughter: Michelle Youngblood, and many great nieces and nephews

Preceded by: Her husband and parents: as above. Sisters: Dorothy Woosley & her husband George, Darlene Gibson & her husband John. Stepson: Leonard Dale Smith Jr. Mother-in-law – Teresa Peper (Herbert). Sister-in-law – Nola Warren and her husband Lloyd. Brothers-in-law: Russell Smith & wife Alberta, Delbert Smith & wife Lily, Donald Smith & Rosalee, Robert & wife Mary