Smith, Rodney 1920-2007

SMITH, HARRIS, LOFTSGARD, KRAMBEER, LENTH, CHEVALIER, NIMS, LANDSGARD

Posted By: Mary Cameron (email)
Date: 12/31/2007 at 18:36:02

Rodney Smith, 87, Monona, a longtime Postville civic leader, died Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007, at Veterans Memorial Hospital, Waukon.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28, at the Community Presbyterian Church in Postville with the Rev. Gary Catterson officiating.

Interment was in the Postville Cemetery.

Special music for the funeral was provided by Beverly Bacon, organist, and a duet consisting of Arthur and Clarence Amundson.

Rodney Ira Smith was born Nov. 19, 1920, at Postville, Iowa, to Lester Dean and Dora Irene (Harris) Smith.

Rodney attended school in Postville, graduating in 1938. He farmed with his parents for several years. On June 18, 1941, he was married to Josephine Norma Loftsgard in the Marion Lutheran Church at Gunder, Iowa. To this union eight children were born. They purchased a farm northeast of Postville in Post Township in 1945, where they farmed until 1963.

Rodney began a career in the insurance and real estate business. He was an agent for Farm Bureau Insurance from 1957 to 1962 and opened his own agency in 1963. Rodney and Jo moved to Postville in 1970 from the farm near the Yellow River. In 1978 he became the secretary manager of the Winneshiek Mutual Insurance Association in Decorah, Iowa, until retiring in 1988.

Rodney was interested in the Postville community and enjoyed his time spent in public service in various capacities. He served on the local school board for 18 years, the city council, and as mayor of Postville for 16 years. He was a member of Community Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by his wife, Josephine, Monona; three sons and five daughters: Margaret (Edward) Krambeer, Luana; David (Carolyn) Smith, McGregor, Iowa; Donald Smith, Chaska, Minn.; Marilyn (James) Lenth, Castalia; Mavis Chevalier, Bloomington, Minn.; Douglas (Patricia) Smith, Ankeny, Iowa; Melody (Gary) Nims, Drake, Colo.; Marsha (Gary) Landsgard, Postville; 24 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren; a brother, Keith (Rose Marie) Smith, Postville; and a sister-in-law, Eleanor Loftsgard, Elgin. Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a granddaughter, Brenda Krambeer; a daughter-in-law, Linda Smith; a brother-in-law, Orlando Loftsgard; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Aldora and Myron Anderson; a niece, Connie Gelo; two nephews, Bruce Smith and Wayne Loftsgard, and a great-nephew, Rhett Gelo.

Rodney enjoyed having his family around him and participating in the activities of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They loved the time spent at their cabin in Lansing and their winters in Mesa, Ariz... For many years Rodney was Santa for his children, grandchildren, and other families at Christmas time.

The casket bearers were grandsons Alan Krambeer, Tony Smith, Randy Lenth, Ricky Lenth, Ryan Lenth, Brett Chevalier, Jason Smith, Cory Nims, Lucas Nims, Carson Landsgard, and Tyson Landsgard. Honorary casket bearers were granddaughters Debra (Kevin) Kerr, Becky (Jamie) Colsch, Angela (Dave) Schroeder, Wendy Taylor, Christine Smith, Sandra Smith, Danielle Chevalier, Treva (Jason) Waters, Traci (Thor) Douglas, Tina Alexander, Stacy (Gabe) Lindsey, Chrystal (David) Wilke, Holly (Jonas) Zimmerman.

The Schutte Funeral and Cremation Service of Postville was in charge of arrangements.

The Outlook, December 5, 2007