Some people leave behind memories. Others leave behind a legacy so beautiful that it continues touching lives long after they are gone. Margaret Ann Smothers did both.
Margaret Ann Smothers, 94, of Sumner, Iowa, passed away Monday, November 2, 2026, at Hillcrest Home, surrounded by her loving family.
A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, treasured friend, woman of unwavering Christian faith, and extraordinary music educator, Margaret spent her life filling the world around her with love, kindness, beauty, and music.
Born February 3, 1932, in Lone Tree, Iowa, to Lloyd Freeman and Flossie Mae (Baker) Burr, Margaret graduated from Lone Tree High School in 1950, where she enjoyed basketball and choir. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education from Cornell College in 1954, beginning a remarkable career that would touch generations.
On June 1, 1957, she married her high school sweetheart, Berle Smothers, at the United Methodist Church in Lone Tree. For 69 beautiful years, they shared a life built on love, faith, family, and devotion. Together they raised their daughters, Noell and Karleen, enjoyed trips to Branson, and tended enormous flower gardens that filled their surroundings with color and beauty.
Margaret had a special gift for making things beautiful, simply because bringing happiness to others brought her joy. She loved gardening, sewing, knitting, and creating special things for those she loved. Her family will forever picture her in the kitchen, making something delicious for Berle’s sweet tooth or helping her grandchildren and great-grandchildren make their favorite smoothies, patiently letting little hands help even when it meant extra work for Grandma.
Music wasn’t simply something Margaret taught. Music was who she was.
To countless students, fellow educators, and members of the Sumner community, Margaret Smothers was a musical legend.
Her teaching career began in 1954 at Marengo Iowa Valley, followed by Plainfield Community School and Sumner Jr/Sr High School. After taking eight years to raise her daughters, she returned to Sumner Durant Elementary in 1974 and later to Sumner Jr/Sr High School, retiring in 1994.
Margaret possessed an extraordinary gift for recognizing musical potential in young people, often before they recognized it themselves. She inspired confidence, nurtured talent, and helped students become singers and musicians they never imagined they could be.
Her choruses and show choirs earned countless Division I ratings and recognition throughout Iowa. In 1964, twelve Sumner students were selected for the Iowa All-State Chorus, more than from any other school in the state that year. She helped establish one of the area’s first swing choirs, and in 1994, her beloved Sumner Sensations captured their third consecutive Class 2A championship in Cedar Rapids, competing against 63 other schools.
Yet her greatest accomplishments weren’t the awards or championships. They were the countless young lives she touched, the voices she developed, and the lifelong love of music she planted in generations of students.
Margaret’s deep Christian faith guided her life. A devoted member of Sumner Methodist Church, she directed Christmas programs, led the church choir, and played piano for many years. She was active in the Methodist Women’s Group, P.E.O., Culture Club, and L.M.I., a Waterloo music group, and generously shared her time with Fun Time at Hillcrest.
Above all, Margaret treasured her family. She found her greatest happiness in the people she loved and in life’s simplest moments: a family gathering, a homemade treat, little hands helping in the kitchen, beautiful flowers blooming, or a familiar hymn played on the piano.
She didn’t simply teach music; she taught young people to believe in themselves. She didn’t simply grow flowers; she created beauty for others. And she didn’t simply practice her faith; she lived it through kindness, generosity, and love.
Margaret is survived by her beloved husband: Berle of Sumner; daughters: Noell (Mark) Reynolds of Sumner and Karleen (Scott) Thom of Ramsey, Minnesota; grandchildren: Brittany (Chase) Bennett of Wheatland, Ashley (Stephanie) Reynolds of St. Cloud, Minnesota, Nathan Reynolds of Tiffin, and Kyler (Ashley) Thom of Oakdale, Minnesota; great-grandchildren: Lucille Bennett, Henry Reynolds, and Liam Thom; brother: Lloyd Jr. (Mary Ann) Burr of Lone Tree; sister-in-law: June Smothers of Martelle; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents: Lloyd Sr. and Flossie Burr; parents-in-law: William and Henrietta (Buehneman) Smothers; precious great-grandson: Harold LeRoy Bennett; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Wilfred and Jane Smothers, Lowell and Pat Smothers, Robert and Bernice Smothers, William Smothers, Bernard and Kathy Dougherty, Marion and Sandra Smothers, Jerold and Sue Smothers, and Jerome Smothers.
Funeral services were held Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Sumner Methodist Church, with Rev. Mike Jager officiating. Burial followed at Union Mound Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the family for later designation.
Her Beautiful Legacy
For 94 years, Margaret planted seeds of faith, love, kindness, beauty, and music in the lives of others.
The flowers she and Berle planted will continue to bloom.
The students she taught will continue to sing.
The love of music she inspired will pass from one generation to the next.
And the family she cherished will carry her love in their hearts forever.
The world is a little quieter without her beautiful music, but heaven has surely welcomed another extraordinary voice.
Her final earthly song may have ended, but the beautiful melody of her life will play on forever.
