Roger Smith, 83, of Grygla, MN passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at the Thief River Care Center in Thief River Falls MN.
Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM with the service to celebrate Roger’s life at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at Obit in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Amber Arlien officiating. Burial will follow at St. Olaf Cemetery in Grygla, MN.
Roger Arden Smith was born April 19, 1940 on the family farm in Benville Township, Beltrami County, MN one of fourteen children born to Thomas Reed and Hazel (Pappa) Smith. He was baptized on December 12, 2023 by Rev. Amber Arlien with George Rybakowski as his Godfather. He attended grades 1-6 at the Sandsmark Country School, through the 8th grade at Grygla School and graduated from Goodridge High School with the class of 1958.
Following school, Roger worked for various farmers and did some road construction for Holthusen Construction. Roger served honorably with the Minnesota Army National Guard. Roger also worked in the Northwest Angle and Beltrami Forest for various contractors doing logging work.
In 1969, Roger was united in marriage to Barbara Nomeland and to this union two sons were born, Wes and Clarence.
In the early 1970’s Roger purchased a farm next to where he was born and raised. He raised small grains, pigs, and a very large garden. From his garden, Roger shared his produce with many of his neighbors and friends.
He loved going for Ranger rides with his dog, Pepper and his grand dog, Remi. He always enjoyed hunting, fishing, morel mushroom picking, “ladies aid” at the Grain Bin every morning and winters in Arizona. He had a knack for fixing a tractor for $.20. Roger had a wonderful sense of humor, his eyes would sparkle all of the time, memory like a steel trap, and he had an opinion “advice.”
He was a member of the Grygla VFW and American Legion Posts.
Survivors include his sons, Wes (Shawn Thydean) Smith and Clarence Smith all of Grygla, MN; four grandchildren, Andrew (Kayla) Landin, Dustin Smith, Kelsey Smith and Jeremiah (Becca & daughter Gracie) Smith; great-grandchildren, Jackson Hammer, Madison & Mia Landin; siblings, Ida Stanley, Eleanor Carlson, Duane (Bettye) Smith, Dean Smith, Ralph (Pam) Smith, Kaye Wilkens, and Donna Smith; sister-in-law, Irene Smith; faithful companions, Pepper & Remi; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his great-grandson, Daniel Hammer; parents, Thomas and Hazel; siblings, Bernice (Selmer) Askeland, William Smith, Helen (Cletus) Rein, Ronald Smith, Marlene Pat Schramske and an infant brother; brothers-in-law, Arnold Stanley, Kenneth Carlson, and Dale “Shorty” Wilkens.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com
# Roger Smith, #