Russell Law Smith 1920-1998

SMITH, WOODS, LAW, CELUSTA, HORGEN, KELLEY

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 2/9/2014 at 15:27:24

Russell L. Smith
Estherville – Funeral services for Russell L. [Law] smith, 78, of Estherville will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 21, 1998, at the United Methodist Church in Estherville with the Rev. Larry Willey officiating. Interment will be at Estherville Lutheran Cemetery with military graveside rites by VFW Post 3388 and American Legion Post 91 of Estherville. He died Thursday at Avera Holy Family Hospital in Estherville.

Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. today, Friday at the Henry-Olson-Fuhrman Funeral Home in Estherville.

He was born on June 23, 1920 in Des Moines, the son of Ernest L. and Louella (Law) Smith. He moved with his family to Armstrong as a young boy and later moved to Estherville before he entered high school. He graduated from Estherville high School, Estherville Junior College and South Dakota State University. While attending college, he played varsity basketball.

He served with the Army Air Corps during World War II. He was united in marriage to Alyce Woods on July 11, 1942, at Yuma, Ariz. After the war, the couple made their home in Estherville where he worked for Smith Tractor and Implement until being recalled to serve in the Air Force during the Korean War. He was discharged in 1952 with the rank of captain. He then was employed as a salesman by Heneman Motors, then he was the business manager for Iowa Lake Community College and later sales manager for Motor Inn in Estherville. He then served as the Emmet County Treasurer for 10 years.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church, VFW, American Legion and Elks Lodge.

He is survived by his wife, Alyce, of Estherville; daughters; Mrs. Roger (Randine) Celusta of McFarland, Wis.; Mrs. Chris (Nancy) Horgen of Huntsville, Ala.; Mrs. Dan (Sara) Kelley of Terril; and eight grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, November 20, 1998)