Smith, Duane R. (1925-2016)

SMITH, JOHNSON, RYON, BLOMBERG, HARRIS, REARDON, JONAS

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 5/4/2016 at 18:41:27

Duane R. Smith
March 30, 1925 - April 4, 2016

Duane R. Smith, age 91, of Albert City, Iowa, died on Monday, April 4, 2016, at the Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 8, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Albert City. Burial will follow in the Laurens Cemetery in Laurens, Iowa. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Albert City is in charge of the arrangements.

Duane Roscoe Smith, the second child of Roscoe and Fern (Johnson) Smith was born near Laurens, Iowa, on March 30, 1925. He spent his childhood on farms around the Laurens, Marathon, and Webb areas where he received his education, graduating from the Garfield-Webb High School in 1943.

Duane married Ardis Lavohn Ryon on September 18, 1945, at Dakota City, Nebraska. They farmed together near Laurens until 1967 when the family moved to a farm near Albert City that they had purchased in 1961.

Farming was Duane’s life. He loved the farm, its nature, and its challenges. A master mechanic and builder, he would, often, need his engineering skills to complete his projects whether building something with just a few boards or tearing apart and rebuilding a combine, tractor, or other piece of machinery. He took great pride in knowing how to keep his farm machinery in repair. He, also, raised cattle, hogs, and sheep for many years.

Duane had a deep love of country music and dancing. For many years, he and Lavohn enjoyed dancing. They would do most any kind of dance from square dancing, ballroom dancing, and the 2-step to polkas. They loved them all, and for a couple of years they, even, gave dance lessons in and around the area.

A master storyteller, Duane enjoyed visiting with friends and family. He loved sharing his knowledge of history and reminiscing about earlier years in farming.

An active member of the Albert City Threshermen’s Association for many years, Duane helped oversee the threshing. He, also, served as treasurer of the Buena Vista County Cattlemen’s Association for several years. With declining health, he entered the Pleasant View Home in Albert City in 2008.

He leaves behind his wife of 70 years, Lavohn, of Albert City; his sons: Don Smith, of New Prague, Minnesota, Dennis (Donna) Smith, of Rembrandt, Iowa, and Randy (Kellie) Smith, of Marathon, Iowa; his daughter, Darlys Blomberg, of Springfield, Virginia; eight grandchildren; eight great grandchildren, his sister, Violet Harris, of Marion, Iowa; and his sister-in-law, Dorothy Smith, of Laurens, Iowa; as well as other extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Norma Reardon, his brothers, Meryl (Colleen) Smith and Alan Smith; his brother- and sister-in-law, Gene and Marjorie Jonas; and two grandsons: Kyle and Kevin Blomberg.

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