Carrie L. Janssen-Smith

Carrie Lynn Janssen-Smith, 69, passed away on April 14, 2025, in Pocatello, Idaho after a five-year battle with cancer. Born on July 13, 1955, in Barling, Arkansas, Carrie lived a life marked by dedication—to her family, her faith, her community, and the natural world she so deeply cherished.

Carrie grew up on the Janssen family farm in Epworth, IA. The farm grew corn, alfalfa and soybeans in addition to maintaining a dairy herd of about 50 head, milked twice a day. She assisted her mom and dad with many chores around the farm. She enjoyed being outdoors and playing in the adjoining pastures and fields and riding their horse Thunder and a few dairy cows as well.

Carrie pursued a strong academic path that reflected her commitment to learning and service. She attended Western Dubuque schools and graduated from Western Dubuque High school in Epworth, Iowa in 1973. She studied and earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Dubuque in Dubuque, Iowa. She then completed a master’s degree from the University of Iowa, Iowa City. She continued her studies for her PhD at Washington State University, Pullman, WA and the University of Washington, Seattle, WA where she achieved her PhD candidacy status.

She met her soul mate, Terry Lee Smith of Bethlehem, PA at Washington State University as he was working on his master’s degree in Range and Forestry Management. They were married July 24, 1982 in Dubuque, IA. August 1982, they moved from Pullman, WA to Seattle, WA where Carrie continued her PhD work.

In October 1984 she joined Terry in Caliente, NV where he worked for the Bureau of Land Management. In 1987, Carrie began working for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Caliente, NV. November 1993, Carrie accepted a position as Resource Conservationist with the NRCS in Pocatello, ID and Terry transferred to the Pocatello BLM office in January 1994. They both retired from Federal Civil Service on July 31, 2015 and remain in Pocatello, ID with their horses and cats.

Carrie’s professional career was spent with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, where she contributed to the stewardship of land and resources—an extension of her lifelong love for nature and growing things. She covered a large area for the NRCS supporting field offices from Salmon, ID, south to Twin Falls, ID and east to the ID/WY border.

She enjoyed working with the farmers and ranchers to implement best management practices and reduce soil erosion. In September 1998, Carrie was selected to conduct soil erosion training abroad with a team of other NRCS specialists for two weeks in Bratislava, Slovakia. This was a great opportunity for her and learning how others deal with this same problem world-wide.

Her passion for growing plants was remarkable. While living and working in Caliente, Carrie and her husband started a small greenhouse business. Within Lincoln County there was nowhere to buy annual or perennial plants. Janssen’s Greenhouse filled a void in Caliente for five years before they moved to Pocatello, ID. All the annuals were raised at home and perennial plants such as roses, shrubs and fruit trees were shipped in during the spring to be sold.

Carrie’s passion for gardening was evident not only in her personal life but also through her work with the Chubbuck United Methodist Church. A devoted member of the congregation, Carrie expressed her faith through action. She served as an active Administrative Board member and was instrumental in many church activities. Her artistic talents shone through in the beautiful banners she created to reflect the changing liturgical seasons—each one inspired by images she carefully collected throughout the years.

One of Carrie’s most impactful contributions was helping to establish and manage the church’s "Garden of Grace". Alongside her husband, they planted seeds at home each February to be transplanted into the garden by mid-May. The produce supported the Idaho Food Bank—a testament to Carrie’s generous spirit and commitment to helping and serving others and fighting food insecurity in Idaho.

Carrie found joy and purpose in many pursuits. She loved horses and shared that passion with her husband through raising and showing American Paint Horses across the Intermountain West—from Nampa, Idaho to Billings, Montana and St. George, Utah. Among their proudest achievements was raising Rojo, a striking 16-2 red sorrel Paint who earned his Superior at Halter certificate.

Their love for animals extended beyond horses; cats also held a special place in Carrie’s heart. Their home was filled with life—both animal and botanical. Carrie had an extraordinary talent for growing plants and flowers. Each spring and summer brought vibrant displays: clay pots brimming with red and pink geraniums and petunia lined patios and walkways; hanging baskets adorned trees like living ornaments.

The outdoors and camping trips were another source of joy for Carrie—especially those timed around solar eclipses. With great enthusiasm and planning, she chased celestial events with her husband: first in Idaho during the 2017 eclipse, then the 2023 Ring of Fire eclipse in Nevada, and then the 2024 solar eclipse in Texas.

Carrie is lovingly remembered by her mother Betty A. Janssen and sister Laurie Janssen. She was preceded in death by her father, Kenneth H. Janssen and brother, Jeff Janssen.

A “Celebration of Life” will be held Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Chubbuck United Methodist Church “Garden of Grace” located at 5147 Whitaker Rd., Chubbuck, ID 83202.

Both Carrie and Terry chose cremation. When the time comes for interment, their ashes will be combined in a dual urn and buried in the Highview Cemetery in Epworth, IA alongside Carrie’s family and close to the Janssen family farm.

If you would like to make a donation in Carrie's name, please consider the Pocatello Idaho Food Bank or the America Cancer Society.

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