In Memory Of
Alan James Smith
1925
2013
Alan James Smith
June 22, 1925 — June 15, 2013
Alan James Smith, age 87 years, 11 months, and 15 days, passed from death to life on Saturday, June 15, 2013.
Alan was born to Morris and Elsie (Grossman) Smith in Bertha Township, Minnesota, on June 22, 1925. He was baptized in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit on September 2, 1925 and confirmed May 7, 1939 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Bertha, Minnesota.
Alan served in the U.S. Army as a Staff Sergeant Tech 5. During World War II he was stationed in Saipan, receiving the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal for his service.
Alan married Ruth Meinhardt on June 10, 1948 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bartlett Township, Minnesota. After his Army service, Alan farmed for 14 years. In 1962, he became co-owner and operator with his brother-in-law Elmer Arndt of the Hewitt Oil Company gas station until his retirement in 1988.
Alan was a member of both the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Alan served on the Hewitt Volunteer Fire Department for 24 years. He served on various church boards in both Minnesota and Colorado.
After retirement Alan enjoyed restoring old tractors to their original running condition and driving cars from state to state for auction sales. He also enjoyed working on their hobby farm. In 1999, Alan and Ruth moved from Minnesota to Colorado. Alan began his day each morning by reading his daily devotions and Bible.
Alan is preceded in death by his sister Mavis; parents Morris and Elsie; daughter Linda; granddaughter Mariah; daughter-in-law Linda Smith; brothers-in-law Raymond Rooney, Ernst Meinhardt, and Elmer Arndt; and sister-in-law Eunice Meinhardt.
Alan is survived by Ruth, his wife of 65 years; sons Steven (Debbie) of Rice Lake, Wisconsin, and Craig (Deby) of Hazen, North Dakota; daughter Carol (Ron) Doucette of Como, Colorado; grandchildren Dustin Smith, Megan (Neil) Kramar, Ryan Smith, and Jackson Smith; great-grandchildren Greyson and Lynna Smith; brothers Lewis (Jean) Smith of Wisconsin and Garvin Smith of Minnesota; in-laws Marcella Arndt, Alice Rooney, Roy (Devonna) Meinhardt, and Arthur (Myrna) Meinhardt all of Minnesota; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Honorary pallbearers include Megan and Neil Kramar, Ryan Smith, Jackson Smith and Dustin Smith.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hope Lutheran Church, Aurora, Colo.
To leave a message for the family visit the guestbook below.
Alan was born to Morris and Elsie (Grossman) Smith in Bertha Township, Minnesota, on June 22, 1925. He was baptized in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit on September 2, 1925 and confirmed May 7, 1939 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Bertha, Minnesota.
Alan served in the U.S. Army as a Staff Sergeant Tech 5. During World War II he was stationed in Saipan, receiving the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal for his service.
Alan married Ruth Meinhardt on June 10, 1948 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bartlett Township, Minnesota. After his Army service, Alan farmed for 14 years. In 1962, he became co-owner and operator with his brother-in-law Elmer Arndt of the Hewitt Oil Company gas station until his retirement in 1988.
Alan was a member of both the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Alan served on the Hewitt Volunteer Fire Department for 24 years. He served on various church boards in both Minnesota and Colorado.
After retirement Alan enjoyed restoring old tractors to their original running condition and driving cars from state to state for auction sales. He also enjoyed working on their hobby farm. In 1999, Alan and Ruth moved from Minnesota to Colorado. Alan began his day each morning by reading his daily devotions and Bible.
Alan is preceded in death by his sister Mavis; parents Morris and Elsie; daughter Linda; granddaughter Mariah; daughter-in-law Linda Smith; brothers-in-law Raymond Rooney, Ernst Meinhardt, and Elmer Arndt; and sister-in-law Eunice Meinhardt.
Alan is survived by Ruth, his wife of 65 years; sons Steven (Debbie) of Rice Lake, Wisconsin, and Craig (Deby) of Hazen, North Dakota; daughter Carol (Ron) Doucette of Como, Colorado; grandchildren Dustin Smith, Megan (Neil) Kramar, Ryan Smith, and Jackson Smith; great-grandchildren Greyson and Lynna Smith; brothers Lewis (Jean) Smith of Wisconsin and Garvin Smith of Minnesota; in-laws Marcella Arndt, Alice Rooney, Roy (Devonna) Meinhardt, and Arthur (Myrna) Meinhardt all of Minnesota; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Honorary pallbearers include Megan and Neil Kramar, Ryan Smith, Jackson Smith and Dustin Smith.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hope Lutheran Church, Aurora, Colo.
To leave a message for the family visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Alan James Smith, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
10:00 - 11:00 am (Mountain time)
Hope Lutheran Church
Service
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Starts at 11:00 am (Mountain time)
Hope Lutheran Church
Guestbook
Visits: 1
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