Elizabeth Hudnutt, 94, of Grinnell, died on Friday, March 27, 2026 at EveryStep Kavanaugh House in Des Moines, surrounded by her family.

A celebration of life to honor Elizabeth will be held from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm, Saturday, May 23, 2026 at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell.  A private family burial will be held at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell.

Memorials may be designated to EveryStep Kavanaugh House and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with her family at www.smithfh.com.

Elizabeth Mae Kaisand was born the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Fuller) Kaisand on September 19, 1931, in rural Marshall County, Iowa, south of LeGrand. She was raised on the family farm near LeGrand and graduated from Grinnell High School with the Class of 1949.

On May 16, 1951, she was united in marriage to Donald Hudnutt in Grinnell. Their union was blessed with two daughters, Barbara Jean and Beverly Jane. While Don served in the United States Army and was stationed in Indiana, Elizabeth lived with him there. Following his military service, the couple returned to Iowa, where they farmed near Newton before moving to a farm south of Grinnell.

Elizabeth held several jobs over the years, working at McGregor Furniture and Maytag in Newton, and later at the Grinnell Herald-Register, Grinnell State Bank, and Poweshiek-McDowell Insurance Agency until her retirement.

She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the Victor Grange, and the Blue Point Friendship Club. Elizabeth enjoyed music, especially listening to Lawrence Welk every Saturday evening. She also had a cherished collection of angels that she displayed on her angel tree. She loved life on the farm and found joy in being with her family, mowing her large yard, and tending to her vegetable and flower gardens. Elizabeth will be remembered as a caring and nurturing woman who was always there to help family and friends.

Elizabeth is survived by her daughters, Barbara (Michael) King of Stockton, IL, and Beverly (Stephen) Sells of Altoona, IA; three grandchildren, Jason and Justin King and Shawna (Kray) Shivers; one great grandson, Lincoln, her brother, Eugene Kaisand and sister-in-law's Janice Kaisand and Melinda Kaisand. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don in 2015; and her siblings, Emery, Edmund, Earl, Elmer Kaisand and Maxine (Kaisand) Rasmussen.