Twyla J. Smith - age 63, of Pocahontas, passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2020, at her home in Pocahontas, Iowa.

Twyla Jean Heggen was born January 3, 1957, in Emmetsburg, Iowa. She was the daughter of Leonard and Sylva (Tonderum) Heggen. She lived in Havelock, Iowa. On December 13, 1970 her mother passed away from cancer. In the fall of 1971 Twyla and her younger sister were placed in a foster home in Fonda as their father was unable to care for them. Foster parents in Fonda adopted them in fall of 1975. They moved to Laurens, Iowa. In 1977, Twyla moved to Terril, Iowa where she did in-home daycare and worked as a nurse's aide. In October of 1993, she returned to Laurens where she did in-home daycare and worked as a nurse's aide. On December 31, 2010, she married Donald Smith in Laurens, Iowa. In 2010, Twyla retired after over 30 years of service as a nurse's aid. In August of 2015, she moved to Pocahontas, Iowa

Twyla enjoyed motorcycle riding, bowling and competing in bowling tournaments. She loved watching her Hawkeyes play basketball and she especially loved it when her grandkids would stop by or stay the night with her.

She is survived by Donald; son, Todd Cuklanz of Laurens; daughters, Michelle (Bryan) Lohman of Spencer, Crystal Cuklanz of Laurens, and Jessica (Matthew) Zuetlau of Pocahontas; 10 grandchildren; 6 grandsons, Tyson, Collin, Kage, Tristan, Elijah, and Isaiah; 4 granddaughters, Jordan, Madilyn, Olivia, and Savannah; brother, Alan (Glenda) Heggen of Ames; sisters, Marcia (Robert) Smith of Alta, Janet Christiansen of Olathe, KS, and Carol (Brian) Woods of Spirit Lake; along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Sylva Heggen; brother-in-law, Neil Gilleland; grandparents, aunts, and uncles.