Staci Leigh Shepard, 45, of Searsboro, IA, died suddenly on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at her home.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Thursday, February 2, 2023 at Smith Funeral Home - Grinnell. A private family service will be held prior to the visitation at 4:00 PM at Smith Funeral Home - Grinnell.

Memorials may be designated in her name to benefit organizations of the families choosing and sent in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.

Staci was born on January 26, 1977, the daughter of Michael and Cindy Oltrogge Kriegel. She was raised in Grinnell and graduated from Grinnell High School. She furthered her education at Iowa Valley Community College, studying accounting. She also received her CNA license and worked at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell.

Staci met the love of her life, Jeremy Shepard, in 2012 and they were united in marriage on June 13, 2019 at Diamond Lake Park, Montezuma, IA. Together they enjoyed camping and spending time in their shop refurbishing trucks. Staci was a talented woodworker and she enjoyed making signs, repurposing furniture, and designing epoxy cups. She loved flowers, especially lilies. Her backyard was filled with lilies that she had planted along with a beautiful rose bush that she nurtured from a cutting she took from a rose bush her great-great grandmother planted. Above all Staci loved her family and her dog, Diesel. She will be missed by many.

Staci is survived by her parents, Michael and Cindy Kriegel; husband, Jeremy Shepard; children, Abigail Kriegel, Brady (Mazi Meyer) Moore, Ashleigh (Skylar Johnson) Shepard, and Amanda (Mike) Johnston; grandchild, Jason Johnston; brother, Scott (Tabitha) Kriegel and their children Blaine and Alyssa Kriegel; and father-in-law, Jack (Kellie) Shepard. She is preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents; niece, Mikyla Ehret; mother-in-law, Nancy Shepard; and brother-in-law, Jason Shepard.