Gene Smith
May 22, 1928 ~ May 24, 2013
Served by: Luce, Luze & Reck Funeral Homes
Gene Smith, 85, of Miller, died Friday, May 24 at the Good Samaritan Center in Miller. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 28 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Miller. Visitation will be Monday, May 27 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service all at Rembold Funeral Home in St. Lawrence. Burial will be at G.A.R. Cemetery in Miller.
William Gene was born to William and Louise (Wangsness) Smith at their farm northeast of Miller, South Dakota on May 22, 1928. He was baptized and confirmed in Trinity Lutheran Church. Gene attended rural school in Hand County before moving to Miller in 3rd grade. He graduated from Miller High School in 1946.
Gene married Christina Lobban at Trinity Lutheran Church on March 16, 1947.
He loved his family and enjoyed his friends. Gene had a strong faith in Jesus and loved reading the Bible and daily devotions.
Gene was a dedicated worker for all his employers, putting in as many hours as needed to get the job done. He worked 25 years for Nelson Seed Company, driving truck, doing farm and ranch work, and serving as foreman. He spent 22 years working for Russell Hanks, retiring in 1997. He was a talented mechanic and welder and it was rare that he found something he could not fix.
He is survived by his children, Dr. Bill (Twyla) Smith of Sioux Falls, Barbara Maxwell of Parkston, and Steve (Kandy) Smith of Pierre; ten grandchildren, Joshua (Kris) and Jared Smith; Chad (Nour), Christopher (Molly), Michael (Melissa), Suzanne, Billy (Jessica), and David Maxwell; and Steven and Andy Smith; ten great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Nellie Jager of Huron, and Ruth (DeWayne) Sivertsen of Ree Heights; three brothers-in-law, Alex (Leona) Lobban of Longmont, CO, Melvin Reinhardt of Miller, and James (Irene) Lobban of Lakewood, CO.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Chris; his parents; his sisters, Irene Blachford and Marie Reinhardt; and his son-in-law, Bruce Maxwell.
William Gene was born to William and Louise (Wangsness) Smith at their farm northeast of Miller, South Dakota on May 22, 1928. He was baptized and confirmed in Trinity Lutheran Church. Gene attended rural school in Hand County before moving to Miller in 3rd grade. He graduated from Miller High School in 1946.
Gene married Christina Lobban at Trinity Lutheran Church on March 16, 1947.
He loved his family and enjoyed his friends. Gene had a strong faith in Jesus and loved reading the Bible and daily devotions.
Gene was a dedicated worker for all his employers, putting in as many hours as needed to get the job done. He worked 25 years for Nelson Seed Company, driving truck, doing farm and ranch work, and serving as foreman. He spent 22 years working for Russell Hanks, retiring in 1997. He was a talented mechanic and welder and it was rare that he found something he could not fix.
He is survived by his children, Dr. Bill (Twyla) Smith of Sioux Falls, Barbara Maxwell of Parkston, and Steve (Kandy) Smith of Pierre; ten grandchildren, Joshua (Kris) and Jared Smith; Chad (Nour), Christopher (Molly), Michael (Melissa), Suzanne, Billy (Jessica), and David Maxwell; and Steven and Andy Smith; ten great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Nellie Jager of Huron, and Ruth (DeWayne) Sivertsen of Ree Heights; three brothers-in-law, Alex (Leona) Lobban of Longmont, CO, Melvin Reinhardt of Miller, and James (Irene) Lobban of Lakewood, CO.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Chris; his parents; his sisters, Irene Blachford and Marie Reinhardt; and his son-in-law, Bruce Maxwell.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Bill, Barb & Steve,
So sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. He was a kind, hard working man who always put his family first. Now he is at rest and without pain. May God wrap his loving arms around you and sustain you with his love.
Melvin & Debbie Brueggeman
So sorry to hear of Uncle Gene’s passing. Our thoughts, prayers and love are with all of you.
Gene, what a wonderful neighbor you were for all these year – yes lots of years – maybe 42-43.
I know that you are at piece and enjoying seeing Chris again.
You will be missed and will miss just knowing when the kids were here even if we didn’t see them.
RIP Gene
I will be forever grateful that Uncle Gene so generously shared his home and his family with the country nieces and nephews… especially during my teenage years. Sending my love and hugs to you all.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Please accept my condolences for the loss of your dear loved one, Gene. Take comfort in knowing that soon our heavenly Creator will remove all pain, sorrow, and death. Yes, we are promised a hope of a resurrection soon to take place here on a paradise earth. May you receive the inner peace and strength to cope with the days ahead. When you have a quiet moment please read the scriptures listed below, they will offer much comfort and hope. Revelation 21:3,4 John 5:28,29 Philippians 4:13.
Uncle Gene was a great man. Humble & honest. He will never be forgotten.
I wish to offer my sympathy to the family of Gene at this difficult time. Losing someone you love to death is a very hard thing to cope with. Perhaps you can gain some comfort from the words Jesus spoke to the sister of Lazarus when he died. John 11:25 reads, Jesus said to her: ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He that exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life.’ I hope this message is of some consolation.
Sending our sympathy to all of Gene’s family! A great family man and a super individual. Great memories from old friends
Ray and Jean Reimann
Appleton, WI
Gene was a very caring person. I saw him and talked a few minutes with him the last time I was up home a couple of years ago.