Lelia Marie Smith, often affectionately called “Pudgey” by those who shared in her love and laughter, age 70 of Davenport, Iowa, formerly of Clinton, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, January 28th, 2026, at Genesis East in Davenport, Iowa. Cremation rites have been accorded and a Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, Feb. 1st, from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM at Clinton Church of Christ in Clinton, Iowa. Burial will be held at Clinton Lawn Cemetery at a later date. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com.
Lelia was born on February 27, 1955, in Clinton, IA, the daughter of Ralph Burmester and Elsie (Hinz) Burmester Robbins. She was a Certified Nurse’s Assistant at nursing homes in Arkansas and Clinton, Iowa. Lelia was full of love and smart comments. People remembered her for her sharp-wittedness and strong spirit. By being honest and bold, she showed her children, nieces, and nephews to be true to themselves. She enjoyed laughing with friends and family, along with fishing, bingo, and above all, spending quality time with her loved ones, usually with a diet Mountain Dew in her hand or close by.
Lelia is survived by her two children, Shawn Smith of Clinton, IA, and Carrie Smith of Fort Madison, IA; three grandchildren, Cyrus, Elizabeth, and Robert; three step-grandchildren, Danielle, Destiny, and Dajsia; along with her siblings Kenneth J. (Karen) Burmester, Hans Robbins Sr, Kevin Robbins, MaDonna Anderson (Robbins), Yancy Robbins, Debbie Robbins, Donald Robbins, Diane Robbins, George Craig, David Craig, Steven Robbins, James Brockett, Tobey Craig, Joseph Robbins Sr, Brother-in-law Ed Bousman; and several nieces & nephews, including Kenneth R. Bermester, Konnie Bermester, Kimberly Robbins, Hans Robbins Jr, Sabrina Robbins, Joshua Robbins, Joseph Robbins Jr, Sandi Robbins, Ashley Robbins, Brendan Robbins, Michael (Danielle) Robbins, Noah Robbins, Chris Robbins, Aubrey Robbins, Celeste Robbins, Marjorie Robbins, Tonia Brockett, Devin Gary, Alicia Burmester Green, Jazlyn Robbins, Colin Robbins, Kyle Robbins, and her great nephew Kenneth DJ Burmester.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her stepfather, Adam Robbins Sr., who raised her, her brothers: Greg Robbins, Daniall Robbins, Adam Robbins Jr, Norman Bolton, James Robbins, Danise Robbins, Michael Robbins, Greg Robbins, along with sisters: Denise Robbins, Sandy Bousman (Robbins), Jackie Burmester, Kay Francis Burmester, Connie Burmester, and sister-in-law Mary Robbins, and beloved niece Cheyanne Robbins, and nephew Eric Robbins.