Kenneth Smith

KENNETH'S TRIBUTE VIDEO

Kenneth Luray Smith, 83, of Agar, passed away, Friday, July 17, 2009 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Agar with Rev. Brian Lemcke officiating. Burial followed in the Onida Cemetery with military honors. Visitation was held from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 21, 2009 with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at Luce Funeral Home in Gettysburg.

Kenneth was born to Mike and Katherine (Sunne) Smith in Agar on January 26, 1926. He attended 12 years of school in Agar graduating in 1944. While in High School, Kenneth was well known for his basketball talent, a sport which he thoroughly enjoyed.

Immediately after graduation, at age 17, he enlisted in the United States Air Force during World War II and was stationed in Guam, Tinnian, and Saipan. He served the United States as a gunner on B-29 Bomber aircrafts. Kenneth was part of the reconnaissance flight, in the weather plane which preceded the Enola Gay, on the day the Hiroshima Bomb was dropped. His plane flew through the area immediately after, on special mission, to photograph the aftermath of the Bomb. After the war, in 1946, he returned home to Agar.

On September 10, 1949 Kenneth married Darlene Allison in Pierre. They lived in Minneapolis and Kansas City during winter months for a few years, while farming in Agar the rest of the time. Their children are Terry Smith and Connie (Jay) Mikkelsen. Ken farmed most of his life and worked for the Postal Department for over 30 years. Before retirement he and Darlene lived in Spearfish and Burke for several years while Ken worked as a mail carrier. After his retirement they returned to Agar. Although retired from farming, they stayed very busy with yard work, gardening and traveling. Some memorable trips for Ken and Darlene included Hong Kong, Japan, Cook Islands, Hawaii, and Australia.

He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Agar, past member of the Agar School Board, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Agar Fire Department, Rural Letter Carriers Association and the Agar Town Board.

Ken loved to fish and hunt with his son Terry. He loved the harvest time and watching sports on TV, making sure to catch the Minnesota Twins as much as possible. Ken and Connie liked to work on art projects, spend time with the grandchildren and great grandchildren, be happy, tell jokes and stories from life in early Agar.

Surviving him are his wife Darlene, son Terry, daughter Connie (Jay) Mikkelsen all of Agar; three grandchildren: Ryan (Margot) Lake and Carolee Lake of Gettysburg and Robby Lake of Agar; five great-grandchildren, Madelynn, Max, and Marlee Matson and Bailey Lake; step great-granddaughter, Nadyne Eckstrom, all of Gettysburg; sister, Marian (Kenneth) Pope, Sioux Falls; cousin, Dorothy King of Scottsdale, AZ; sisters-in-law, Lolly (Allison) Martin, Agar and Margaret (Allison) Nahrstedt of Springfield, MO and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Bob.

Kenneth will be greatly missed by all who knew him, but they are comforted by the love he left behind and knowing he is at peace with the Lord.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Kenneth's arrangements.

MINISTER
Rev. Brian Lemcke

CASKETBEARERS
Tom Eliason
Charles Ellis
Ralph Holzwarth
Chad Falkenhagen
Eric Falkenhagen
Lewis Robbennolt
Micky Brehe

HONORARY CASKETBEARERS
All of his many friends

USHERS
Phil Hagny
Dale Brehe

PIANIST
Jane Brehe

VOCALIST
Merlin Voorhees
     "Beautiful Savior"
     "Just As I Am"

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN
"I Know That My Redeemer Lives"

INTERMENT
Onida Cemetery - Onida, SD