Christine Mary Smith, nee Lippert, 68, passed away peacefully at her home in Waterloo, Illinois on Tuesday, March 24th, 2026.  She was born on December 18th, 1957 in E. St. Louis to James and Gertraut Lippert.

She graduated from Cahokia High School with honors in 1976. Christine was a dedicated Office Manager at Forest Products located in St. Louis, Missouri and retired in 2020.

Her family and friends will greatly miss her huge smiles and loving, giving heart.  She will also be missed by Mork and Mindy her chihuahuas.

Christine is survived by her loving husband, Ronald, and her adoring children, Rebecca Luekin and husband, Josh of Ballwin, Mo., and Rachel Pennington and husband Bob, her grandson, Lee Pennington. of Dupo, Ill., her sister, Jeanette Power of Queen Creek, Az., and brother, James Lippert of High Ridge, Mo., and many more loving relatives.

Christine was preceded by her parents James and Gert Lippert.

Visitation will be at Braun Family Funeral Home, 265 Quarry Rd., Columbia, Illinois on Monday, March 30th, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Funeral service will follow at 12:00 p.m. Burial will take place at 1:00 p.m. at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.