In Memory of Neal H. Smidt
Neal Harvey Smidt, age 58 of Lake View, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at the UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Medical Center of Sioux City, Iowa.
Per Neal’s wishes, no services will be held.
The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com
Neal Harvey Smidt was born on July 17, 1968, in Iowa City, Iowa. His parents, Harvey and Annabel Smidt, brought him home to the family farm in Lake View, Iowa, where he was raised. He helped with chores, planting and harvest, as well as attending and graduating from Lake View-Auburn High School in 1986.
Neal attended truck driving school after graduating high school. Then with the help of a family friend, was introduced to a bus company in Florida looking for drivers for their luxury coaches, mainly used for musical entertainers. Neal then spent the majority of his life driving for various musicians, including the Willie Nelson crew bus, Poison, Wynona Judd, Seven Mary Three, and many others. He was often requested by entertainers for his honesty and hard work. He was one of few drivers that could drive a Prevo bus, while hauling a trailer behind. The riders always said they had the best sleep when Neal was driving and trusted him completely.
As a brother, he was funny, full of mischief, and liked to be a rule breaker, but always got caught. Darla will never forget the “trouble” they got into on the farm, whether it was building ramps to jump their bikes, “borrowing” their dad’s lumber to build a treehouse in the grove behind the house, or sneaking downstairs to watch TV shows they weren’t supposed to watch.
Neal is survived by his mother Annabel Smidt, who loved him very much; sister Darla Smidt; his cherished son Prescott Smidt; along with his constant companion Boo Bear and cat Mya.
He was preceded in death by his father Harvey Smidt; grandparents; and several aunts and uncles.
Neal has chosen not to have a service. Many thanks to the staff at Loring Hospital in Sac City and the nursing staff at St. Luke’s Hospital in Sioux City for helping Neal with the end of one journey and the beginning of a new one.